Texas Investigates Birth Tourism
Texas Governor Abbott Orders Investigation into Mission Hospital Over Alleged Birth Tourism Ads
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Key Points
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The hospital ran Spanish-language billboards near the U.S.-Mexico border advertising 'Birth Packages in South Texas,' with prices cited as $3,950 for a natural birth and $5,525 for a C-section, directing viewers to havemybabyinTEXAS.com and featuring a Mexico country-code phone number starting with 001; the campaign began in 2021 and billboards were located within about five miles of Mission Regional Medical Center.
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Images of the billboard campaign circulated on social media prior to removal, and Mission Regional Medical Center stated the materials are no longer in use to prevent unintended misunderstanding, adding that the hospital does not support or facilitate unlawful activity and complies with federal and state laws.
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Gov. Abbott directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to investigate possible violations of state law or contractual obligations; HHSC referred the matter to the agency's inspector general, with findings potentially forwarded to the attorney general for civil enforcement and to other authorities for criminal charges, and administrative sanctions could be pursued if warranted.
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The controversy unfolds within a broader political context, as some Republicans have urged restrictions on birthright citizenship and discussions about denying birth certificates to children of non-citizens, following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on birthright citizenship.
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Abbott indicated plans to work with lawmakers in the next legislative session to strengthen Texas law and eliminate birth tourism, signaling potential further action beyond the current investigation.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered a state investigation into Mission Regional Medical Center, a South Texas hospital that advertised birth packages to foreign nationals near the U.S.-Mexico border. Abbott said 'American citizenship is not for sale' and called birth tourism illegal, according to KENS5.
The hospital ran Spanish-language billboards offering a natural birth for $3,950 and a C-section for $5,525, directing viewers to a website called havemybabyinTEXAS.com. The ads featured a Mexico country-code phone number and ran within about five miles of the hospital. Mission Regional says those materials are no longer in use.
Billboards Offered Priced Birth Packages Across the Border
The billboard campaign launched in 2021 and targeted Spanish-speaking audiences in Mexico. Signs advertised 'Birth Packages in South Texas' and pointed to a now-offline website. The ads listed a Mexico country-code phone number starting with 001, making clear the intended audience was across the border, according to Fox RGV.
Images of the billboards spread on social media before the hospital pulled them. Mission Regional said the materials were discontinued 'to prevent unintended misunderstanding.' The hospital also said it does not support unlawful activity and follows all federal and state laws.
Abbott Orders HHSC to Probe Possible Law and Contract Violations
Abbott directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to investigate whether the hospital broke state law or violated its contractual obligations. HHSC referred the matter to its inspector general, according to Hanford Sentinel. Findings could go to the state attorney general for civil enforcement or to other authorities for criminal charges.
Administrative sanctions against the hospital are also possible if the probe finds wrongdoing. Abbott framed the hospital's ads as an attempt to use Texas healthcare as 'a magnet for foreign travelers seeking citizenship for their children.' The governor said Texas will not allow that.
Birth Tourism Debate Heats Up After Supreme Court Ruling
The investigation comes after the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision on birthright citizenship. Some Republicans have pushed to deny birth certificates to children of non-citizens. Abbott said he plans to work with state lawmakers in the next legislative session to strengthen Texas law and eliminate birth tourism, according to Black Chronicle.
Birth tourism refers to the practice of traveling to the U.S. specifically to give birth so a child receives U.S. citizenship. Critics call it a form of visa and immigration fraud. The Mission Regional case has put a spotlight on how hospitals near the border market their services to foreign nationals.
Hospital Cooperates but Defends Original Intent of Campaign
Mission Regional Medical Center said it is cooperating with state officials. The hospital argued the ads were designed to comply with laws and were not meant to encourage illegal activity. It removed the billboards and took the website offline after the controversy grew, according to Fox RGV.
The hospital has emphasized its commitment to providing care to all patients. But Abbott's investigation could lead to serious consequences. If the attorney general finds violations, the hospital may face civil penalties, criminal referrals, or loss of state contracts.
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