Thread: Federal agents raid 20 suspected 'maternity hotels' in California

Originally Posted by vistalad

The people who wrote the Reconstruction Amendments - the 13th, 14th, and 15th - were clear about the 14th Amendment not applying to foreigners. During the congressional debates, one of the people who worked on those amendments specifically said that the 14th did not apply to children of diplomats or people who were in the country temporarily.

The language of the amendment is clear: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens... Foreigners may not like their government, but they remain subject to its jurisdiction.

We can of course apply our laws to foreigners. If we catch people stealing, for example, we can put them in jail and then deport them. But putting foreigners in jail does not transform them into citizens, it just makes them criminal aliens whom we will deport. The same principle applies to everybody, including those practicing "birth tourism." They're not citizens; they're criminal aliens.
**********************
Americans first in this magnificent country

American jobs for American workers

Fair trade, not free trade

The only foreigners who should be covered by Section 1 of the 14th Amendment are permanent legal residents with green cards who have vacated/denounced their citizenship in all other countries, sworn allegiance to the United States and intend to become US citizens. The situation we have now with states handing out birth certificates that are then used to secure SS numbers and US passports for babies whose parents are citizens of another country is just insanity whether they're in our country legally or not, permanent legal residents with green cards excluded. I hope Congress fixes the stupidity. Steve King has a bill that would prohibit children of illegal aliens being given automatic birthright citizenship, but it also needs to clarify that others who are here visiting, attending school or working temporarily are not eligible either, except for permanent legal residents, which complies with the Wong Kim Ark Ruling.

Originally Posted by Judy

Why does the US Department of State issue passports to children of foreign tourists?

Anyone know? The State Department is supposed to be knowledgeable of our laws and Constitution. But handing out passports to people who aren't eligible for citizenship indicates our expectation of them was over-rated.

Readers React

'Birth tourists' shouldn't be able buy U.S. citizenship for their babies

• Letters to the Editor
• Opinion

To the editor: Confronting the problem of birth tourism is long overdue. This scheme tailored to wealthy foreigners is a blatant form of illegal immigration, and I don't understand why we've overlooked it, particularly at a time when we are searching for ways to deal with our immigration problems.

("'Maternity tourism' raids target California operations catering to Chinese," March 3)

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L.A. NOW 'Maternity tourism' raids target California operations catering to Chinese SEE ALL RELATED

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Your article states that efforts to outlaw the practice have been unsuccessful. Who are these lawmakers protecting? The crime is especially heinous because many of the families are leaving us taxpayers to pay their hospital bills.

As for the woman who shopped at the Rolex and Louis Vuitton stores but paid only a small portion of her medical costs, we must make it clear that she can buy all the scarves and watches she wants, but she cannot buy her baby U.S. citizenship.

Peggy Jo Abraham, Santa Monica
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To the editor: First, the 9/11 terrorists come to the United States on visas and orchestrate the killing of thousands. Now, Chinese nationals come here on visas to essentially rob our country by way of subsidized natal care and advantages in college applications for their offspring in the future.

Neither of these types of people contributed anything to the U.S. yet were allowed to come right in with the blessing of U.S. immigration officials.

So naturally, now more than ever, we really have to focus all our attention on those Mexicans and Central Americans coming across our southern border looking for work and who provide us Americans with low-cost produce, meat and services.

Miguel Rosales, Glendale
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To the editor: Droves of foreigners come to the U.S. to deliver their babies and give their children instant citizenship.

Big surprise.

There is such an easy fix for this: We need to change the law and deny citizenship to anyone born here to a nonresident. The practice of "birth tourism" would come to an abrupt end.

Cheryl Krohn, Valley Glen

http://www.latimes.com/opinion/reade...306-story.html

By Bradley Zint
March 6, 2015 | 5:16 p.m.

Newport Beach's Hoag Hospital and luxury apartments in Irvine this week were linked to a federal investigation that has targeted suspected "birth tourism" schemes involving pregnant Chinese women on fraudulent visas giving birth in the United States so their children would be American citizens.

According to Homeland Security affidavits unsealed this week, since 2013, "many children" born of Chinese nationals at Hoag were connected to birthing operators, who charged the women around $50,000 each for the service.

One of the three suspected operations, You Win USA, also utilized Fountain Valley Regional and Medical Center, where at least 400 children are believed to have been born in connection with the schemes, according to the affidavits.

The documents also state that federal agents suspect the otherwise financially capable women either failed to pay the hospitals any of the cost of healthcare — about $25,000 — or paid about $4,000, claiming they were low-income patients without insurance.

On Tuesday, federal investigators entered a dozen units at the Carlyle at Colton Plaza apartment complex in Irvine, near John Wayne Airport, as well as homes in Irvine's Portola Springs and Woodbridge neighborhoods.

The week's raids, which also took place in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, marked the largest investigation of its kind in the effort to crack down on the practice of foreign nationals coming to the U.S. only to have babies, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The Times also reported that foreign nationals giving birth in the U.S. is not necessarily illegal, and recent legislative efforts to address the practice have been unsuccessful.

According to the affidavits, however, federal investigators suspect that the birth tourism operators committed visa, marriage and tax fraud, as well as defrauding the hospitals.

The investigation is continuing and no arrests have been made, a U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement spokeswoman said Friday.

In a statement, St. Joseph Hoag Health's general counsel, Shannon Dwyer, noted that Hoag Hospital is not a subject of the investigation and is cooperating with authorities. St. Joseph Hoag Health represents the affiliation between Hoag Hospital & St. Joseph Health.

Furthermore, she added, as a healthcare provider, the facility "is responsible for providing medical care to all who walk through our doors, regardless of their background or ability to pay. Our only priority is providing the very best care for those in need."

Fountain Valley Regional spokeswoman Dina Edwards said the hospital has "cooperated fully with all requests for information from law enforcement and will continue to do so throughout the investigation."

http://www.dailypilot.com/news/tn-dp...,3381372.story

http://www.alipac.us/f12/chinese-%91...-bills-318133/

'Birth tourism' investigation: Expectant moms from China not backing down, still want U.S. babies

March 13, 2015
Updated March 14, 2015 11:00 a.m.

VIEW SLIDESHO
Federal agents enter an apartment complex suspected of catering to maternity tourism travelers.JAE C. HONG, , JAE C. HONG, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

By ROXANA KOPETMAN / STAFF WRITER

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Most, if not all, of the women at the center of a suspected birth tourism operation in Irvine, who traveled from China to give birth to American babies, are sticking with their plan. They won’t go back home until their babies are born.

They have hired attorneys. Their husbands or other family members have flown in. And while they are preparing to leave the Irvine apartment complex where they were staying, they’re looking for new places in Southern California to hunker down during their pregnancies.

Meanwhile, the government is looking to build a case against the company that brought the women to Orange County, along with two similar companies operating in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties that specialize in a practice dubbed birth tourism.

In court hearings this week, four of the Chinese visitors in Orange County and 24 in Riverside were designated as material witnesses, meaning they are temporarily required to remain in the country, said Thom Mrozek, public affairs officer for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in L.A.

Homeland Security Investigations agents accuse the operators of three birth tourism companies of various crimes, including visa fraud, tax evasion, money laundering and conspiracy.

The government is targeting the companies and not the pregnant women.

No charges have been filed against any of the companies: You Win USA Vacation Resort, USA Happy Baby Inc. and Star Baby Care. The companies have been unavailable for comment.

SCARY MORNING

For the women, their world turned upside down early on the morning of March 3.

That’s when agents from local and federal agencies pounded on their doors to serve search warrants at three dozen apartments and houses in Irvine, Mission Viejo, Rancho Cucamonga, Rowland Heights and Walnut.

In Orange County, 12 of the units searched are at the Carlyle at Colton Plaza in Irvine, near the airport and across the street from an office belonging to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Irvine attorney Ken Z. Liang, who represents seven of the women at the Carlyle, called the scene “discombobulated.”

“Everything was in a state of stress and disarray,” Liang said.

“Most mothers went to this location because You Win advertised the pregnancy center as an enclosed place (and) extremely safe,” Liang said. “They were expecting a lot of peace and quiet.”

Since the raid, some of the pregnant women have left the Carlyle and others are looking for new places to stay, Liang said.

During a visit to the apartments this week, You Win nannies in pastel-toned clothing could be seen caring for babies, while other staff members delivered food to apartments. Several families were readying to move. Liang said family members have flown in from China to help the women.

“All the families I talked with have accepted their current predicament, but they are angry at You Win pregnancy center for telling them their operation was completely legal. And all the individuals paid a premium to be at this so-called legal, seven-star pregnancy center.”

The women paid $40,000 to $60,000 to You Win for the accommodations and services, which include meals, transportation and outings. That fee did not include medical and hospital bills, Liang said.

You Win operators are working to accommodate their current clientele by offering pro-rated refunds and renegotiating its contract with the Carlyle, Liang said. Some of the women are getting eviction notices because You Win had not paid this month’s rent, he said.

LEGAL QUESTIONS

Federal investigators said the maternity companies coached the women on what to wear and what to say to avoid being singled out for their pregnancies as they entered the country. In one case, an employee made up employment and income information for a client who turned out to be an undercover federal agent, according to court documents.

Liang acknowledged that You Win advised women to wear loose clothing. But he said his clients did nothing illegal and they confirmed their pregnancies when asked. “The pregnancy center told them, if anyone asks you about your pregnancy you have to be honest.”

It is not illegal for a foreigner to give birth in the United States. U.S. law does prohibit issuing a non-immigrant visa to anyone who is likely to become a public charge to the state, including those who might require medical care.

Customs and Border Patrol agents who question pregnant visitors upon arrival would take into consideration the due date of a pregnancy, how long the tourist plans to stay in the country and whether she has proof that she can pay for the medical care. Entry is allowed or denied at the discretion of the admitting officer, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Immigration officials also pointed out that lying on a visa application is illegal.

Liang said the women had two options on their applications: business or pleasure. The women said they were traveling for pleasure.

During interviews at the U.S. Embassy in China and at their port of entry, a few were asked if they were pregnant and they said yes, according to Liang. They were not denied entry.

In court documents, federal agents said many of the women went through vacation destinations to avoid greater scrutiny at Los Angeles International Airport. Liang said his clients came through Hawaii first because they wanted to vacation there.

The attorney also responded to government accusations that some women leave the country without paying their medical bills. He said his clients get a price reduction from doctors and hospitals because they pay in full.

Several of his clients, he said, are here to have a second child, which is difficult in China.

Liang said he asked his new clients why they came to the United States. “They say America is the strongest nation on this planet and the fairest.”

CONTROVERSIAL VISITORS

The raids elicited numerous tips about other suspected similar operations, and officials said they are looking into them, as resources allow.

One group, the Orange Club Political Action Committee, urged the federal government to protect the rights of the pregnant women and newborns.

“We’re not against cracking down on illegal activities, but we think this was way out of proportion,” said Alex Chen, president of the group that advocates for Chinese Americans.

The government should allocate resources instead to addressing the bigger issue of illegal immigration and the estimated 11.5 million people residing in the United States without permission, he said.

An ICE spokeswoman said: “Any scenario that involves the subversion of the visa application process poses a potential security vulnerability and demands further scrutiny.”

Meanwhile, Liang said his clients should be welcome here.

“We shouldn’t be ashamed to have these people here. We fashion democracy and hospitality and perhaps the next export of American culture is a little baby that is born here.”

Contact the writer: 714-796-7829 or rkopetman@ocregister.com

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/w...liang-win.html

Related Links

• Birth tourism: An Irvine company makes $2 million in 2013 enticing foreign women to give birth to hundreds of babies in O.C., feds say
• Hoag and Fountain Valley hospitals are favorites for birth tourism, Homeland Security officials say
• Federal agents raid homes, some in Irvine, in crackdown on pregnant Chinese women traveling to U.S. to give birth

OK, these women believe that the United States government doesn't have the backbone to enforce our laws. Based on past performance, they may be right.
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Americans first in this magnificent country

American jobs for American workers

Fair trade, not free trade

One group, the Orange Club Political Action Committee, urged the federal government to protect the rights of the pregnant women and newborns.

“We’re not against cracking down on illegal activities, but we think this was way out of proportion,” said Alex Chen, president of the group that advocates for Chinese Americans.

The government should allocate resources instead to addressing the bigger issue of illegal immigration and the estimated 11.5 million people residing in the United States without permission, he said.

An ICE spokeswoman said: “Any scenario that involves the subversion of the visa application process poses a potential security vulnerability and demands further scrutiny.”

Meanwhile, Liang said his clients should be welcome here.

“We shouldn’t be ashamed to have these people here. We fashion democracy and hospitality and perhaps the next export of American culture is a little baby that is born here.”

What? We're not "ashamed" to have them here. They are welcome to come and visit and spend and enjoy our country for as long as their tourist visa allows. We're mad however that they applied for passports for their babies as if they were US citizens when they're not, we're angry that they use our hospitals and walk away from medical bills without payment, and we're furious that our stupid government would allow such a thing as being in our country, having a baby and wanting US citizenship for the newborn, whether the parents are Chinese or Mexican or any other nationality.

This practice of recognizing these births as citizenship births is so absurd and so beyond the pale, it's disgusting and must be stopped either by administrative rule change or preferably a law passed by Congress so no Administration ever does such a stupid horrible thing again, because making mockery of US citizenship will not stand. It's going down, no matter how many ethnic or race-based PACS want it differently. One should ask such organizations why they would advocate such a thing to begin with. Perhaps you aren't who you claim to be.

And what is all this race-based lobbying about anyway? Doesn't that violate the 14th Amendment? Latino this and Mexican that, Chinese this and Arab that? The only organization actually entitled to this type of lobbying is the one that represents the race that was enslaved and cheated for centuries in this country, and that is the NAACP, the people for whom the 14th Amendment was actually written.

Center For Immigration Studies Estimates There Could Be 36,000 Tourism Births A Year


http://www.alipac.us/f12/center-immigration-studies-estimates-there-could-36-000-tourism-births-year-319104/

Irvine attorney in birth tourism case indicted by federal jury, could face 40 years in prison

http://www.alipac.us/f12/irvine-atto...prison-320251/