Texas Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against Birth Tourism Center

The Texas Attorney General’s Office has initiated legal action against a Houston establishment known as the De’Ai Postpartum Care Center. Attorney General Ken Paxton asserts that this center is facilitating the entry of Chinese nationals into the U.S. primarily to give birth to children who obtain American citizenship.

This lawsuit emerges as the Supreme Court is reviewing the constitutionality of birthright citizenship, particularly concerning children born to mothers who may have minimal connections to the U.S., including those who are undocumented. The lawsuit, in essence, questions the legality of the clinic based on immigration violations and breaches of Texas law.

On Wednesday, Paxton announced the move against the center and its operators. He characterized their actions as an exploitation of birthright citizenship, accusing them of aiding Chinese nationals in entering Texas for “procreation.” A lawsuit, submitted in Fort Bend County, lists Lin Su-lin and Lai Wang Ling-chang among the defendants. The filing alleges that the center instructs foreign guests to misrepresent their travel intentions to U.S. officials to obtain necessary travel visas, violating the Texas False Trade Practices Act and additional sections of the Texas Penal Code.

According to Paxton, the facility has been running an illegal and duplicitous “birth tourism” operation solely aimed at securing birthright citizenship for infants born there. He noted that the defendants boasted of facilitating the birth of over 1,000 American citizens.

The lawsuit asserts that these actions starkly deviate from the legitimate purposes of tourist visas, stating, “But this is not tourism. Tourist visas cannot be issued for this purpose. This is an illegal scheme to perpetuate fraud against the government and violates Texas law.”

Furthermore, evidence from recent social media posts indicates a plan to mislead consular officials about the nature of tourist births. The defendants had even shared a video on TikTok warning that the federal government was intensifying scrutiny on such births, advising Chinese women that post-pregnancy visa applications might be denied. To dodge potential repercussions, they suggested that women apply for tourist visas prior to conceiving.

This operation reportedly began in 2008 at a single location in Fort Bend County, handling up to five births daily. It has since expanded to include four properties designed to host pregnant women during their stays. Estimates suggest the center could facilitate up to 20 births each day. The center reportedly leverages social media to reach clients in China.

In addition to delivering newborns, the lawsuit claims the center also assists with visa applications and prepares families for interviews with U.S. consulate officials in China. Following the births, the center takes responsibility for all legal matters related to obtaining birth certificates, social security numbers, U.S. passports, and travel documentation.

Paxton is seeking a permanent injunction to halt the center’s operations in Texas, along with civil penalties of up to $10,000 for each infraction of the False Trade Practices Act.