SerpApi.Org
Gov. Greg Abbott is ramping up Texas' crackdown on "birth tourism," signing a new executive order Tuesday that targets healthcare providers accused of helping people travel to the state to give birth in hopes of securing U.S. citizenship for their children.
The order instructs several state agencies to investigate alleged birth tourism operations and take action against any licensed healthcare provider found to be advertising, facilitating or participating in the practice.
"Texas will not tolerate the exploitation of our immigration laws by individuals traveling to the United States illegally or under false pretenses to give birth and secure citizenship for their child," Abbott said in a statement. "U.S. citizenship is not for sale, and Texas will put a stop to individuals seeking to profit from birth tourism."
ALSO READ: John Cornyn threatens to hold up Trump nominees over AIDS funding
The executive order directs the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, the Department of State Health Services, the HHSC Office of Inspector General, the Texas Medical Board, the Texas Board of Nursing and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to investigate complaints involving alleged birth tourism within the state's healthcare industry.
If investigators determine that a licensed individual or business participated in the practice, the agencies are directed to take enforcement action. That could include suspending or revoking professional licenses, barring participation in state contracts, denying state benefits or imposing other penalties authorized under Texas law.
The order also directs state agencies to coordinate with federal authorities by sharing information and referring potential violations of federal law.
Tuesday's order expands on a directive Abbott issued July 7, when he instructed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to investigate hospitals accused of advertising birth tourism packages.
According to the governor's office, HHSC has since referred two Texas hospitals to the Texas Attorney General's Office after they were accused of advertising "birth packages" in Mexico.
State officials are asking anyone with information about suspected birth tourism operations to report it to the HHSC Office of Inspector General. Tips may also be submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice or the appropriate U.S. attorney's office in Texas.
Subscribe
There’s more to San Antonio with the Express-News. Subscribe today for just 25¢.Read this story on expressnews.com
