Increase in Birth Tourism from China
Birth tourism from China has significantly increased during the administration of former President Barack Obama. This trend permits Chinese nationals, including some officials from the Chinese Communist Party, to give birth in the United States and gain birthright citizenship. This information comes from investigative journalist Peter Schweitzer in his recent book, The Invisible Coup: How American Elites and Foreign Powers Use Immigration as a Weapon.
In a chapter titled “China: The Manchurian Generation,” Schweitzer discusses how the Obama administration facilitated maternity travel for Chinese citizens by instructing U.S. consulates not to reject visa applications based solely on the intention of giving birth in the U.S.
“President Obama removed the need for Chinese birth tourists to even be dishonest on their visa applications,” Schweitzer notes. He adds that this change made it more difficult to pursue cases of visa fraud linked to birth tourism.
Furthermore, in November 2014, the Obama administration initiated a 10-year reciprocal visa agreement with China, which allowed even easier access for Chinese citizens looking to give birth in the U.S. According to Schweitzer, before this agreement, Chinese nationals had to renew their visas annually and attend interviews. Now, with a 10-year multiple-entry visa, they could travel back and forth freely, even giving birth to multiple children without any interviews.
Schweitzer cites an example where a couple from China had already had two children in the U.S. and was expecting their third. Interestingly, the father was a member of the Chinese military. Reports suggest that having several children born in the U.S. is becoming more common.
While countries like Russia and Mexico also engage in some birth tourism, Schweitzer argues that China’s approach is state-sanctioned and more organized. He points out that various websites urge Chinese citizens to travel to America for childbirth, offering medical consultations and luxury services, including high-end chefs.
For instance, the China Mifu Baby Group, a luxury company based in California, operates numerous properties targeted at birth tourism. Schweitzer mentions that the promotional materials from these agencies promote the benefits of the U.S. welfare system as primary draws for Chinese parents.
Moreover, one agency notes that parents can apply for immigration as guardians, practically at no expense, and retire comfortably in California. It’s a business strategy that some operators claim offers returns that are “better than robbing a bank.”
In the eyes of the Chinese government, birth tourism is seen as a lucrative opportunity rather than an issue of ethical concern. Lawyer Liang Zhiyi expressed in a state-run paper that this practice could also have positive long-term effects on the U.S.
Schweitzer emphasizes there’s no indication that Chinese elites who utilize these services are opposed to the Chinese Communist Party or in favor of Western values. He mentions companies involved in birth tourism that include clients from various governmental sectors, indicating a significant link between state interests and these tourism operators.
Moreover, Schweitzer highlights China’s historical use of international migration as a strategic tool. He recalls an instance in 1997 when China planned to relocate thousands of citizens to Hong Kong using false identities during its handover from British to Chinese rule.
In his book, Schweitzer concludes that the Chinese government’s approach to using birth tourism embodies a long-standing strategy intertwined with control and influence.
