Gov. Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to immediately investigate a South Texas hospital over allegations that it marketed “birth packages” to foreign nationals as part of an apparent birth tourism operation.
In a letter sent Tuesday to HHSC Executive Commissioner Stephanie Muth, Abbott ordered the agency to investigate Mission Regional Medical Center for potential violations of state law and contractual obligations after reports that the hospital advertised “Birth Packages in South Texas” in foreign countries.
Abbott said the advertisements appeared to target foreign nationals seeking to obtain U.S. citizenship for their children by giving birth in the United States.
“Birth tourism is an illegal practice that exploits the extraordinary hospitality that the United States and Texas offer to millions of foreign travelers each year,” Abbott said. “Thousands of foreign travelers come to the United States under false pretenses to give birth and secure citizenship for their children.”
Abbott directed HHSC to immediately refer any violations to the attorney general for civil enforcement and to the appropriate district or county attorney for potential criminal prosecution. He also instructed the agency to pursue administrative sanctions and penalties against Mission Regional Medical Center if violations are found.
The governor said he also intends to work with the Texas Legislature next session to strengthen state law and eliminate birth tourism in Texas.
“American citizenship is not for sale and Texas will not permit our healthcare system to be used as a magnet for birth tourism,” Abbott wrote.
In recent days, photos of a billboard in Mexico advertising “birth packages” through the website HaveMyBabyInTexas.com and promoting Mission Regional Medical Center circulated widely on social media, drawing renewed scrutiny to the issue.
The website has since been taken offline following the online backlash.
In a statement to Texas Scorecard, Mission Regional Medical Center said it is committed to complying with all applicable federal and state laws and “does not support or facilitate any unlawful activity.”
The hospital added that the maternity marketing materials “are no longer in use due to any unintended misunderstanding” and said it intends to cooperate with local and state officials while continuing to provide care to patients.
Birth tourism refers to the practice of foreign nationals traveling to the United States primarily to give birth so their children receive American citizenship under the 14th Amendment.
Abbott’s directive follows another recent effort by Texas officials to crack down on the practice.
Earlier this year, Attorney General Ken Paxton sued a Houston-area birth tourism operation, alleging it helped more than 1,000 Chinese nationals travel to Texas to give birth so their children could obtain U.S. citizenship.
According to the lawsuit, the business coached clients on obtaining visas, assisted with immigration paperwork, and marketed services designed to help foreign nationals secure birthright citizenship for their children. The state also alleged the operation falsely advertised medical services and sought a court order to permanently shut it down, along with civil penalties and other sanctions.
The issue has also drawn renewed attention following the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling upholding birthright citizenship.
Last week, State Rep. Brian Harrison (R–Midlothian) called on Abbott to convene a special session to criminalize birth tourism, expand state enforcement authority, stop issuing birth certificates to children of illegal aliens, and pursue other measures aimed at curbing the practice.
Harrison responded to Abbott’s announcement on X by saying “Glad we forced something!… but this is just not good enough. We need a special session NOW to make BIRTH TOURISM A FELONY!”
