Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed an executive order directing multiple state agencies to investigate alleged birth tourism schemes in the state. The order targets healthcare providers accused of helping foreign nationals travel to Texas to give birth so their children can obtain US citizenship. Abbott announced the order on Tuesday, July 21, in a post on X, stating that authorities would hold anyone involved in facilitating the practice accountable.
Abbott Calls Birth Tourism Fraud
"Individuals are traveling to the U.S. illegally to give birth and secure citizenship for their child. That's fraud," Abbott wrote. He also said, "I issued an executive order directing state agencies to investigate these birth tourism schemes and hold every provider that facilitates them accountable." Abbott ended the post with the message: "U.S. citizenship is not for sale."
Agencies Directed to Investigate
The executive order directs the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), Office of Inspector General (OIG), Texas Medical Board (TMB), Texas Board of Nursing (BON), and Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to investigate claims of birth tourism schemes operating within Texas' healthcare industry. The agencies have also been instructed to take enforcement action against licensed or regulated individuals and businesses found to be advertising, arranging, assisting with, providing, or otherwise participating in such schemes. Possible penalties include suspending or revoking professional licences, barring offenders from state contracts, denying them state benefits, or taking other enforcement actions.
Scope of the Order
Abbott's order applies to healthcare professionals and entities regulated by the state, including doctors, nurses, midwives, clinics, and other licensed providers if they are found to have taken part in birth tourism schemes. The executive order cites the legal responsibilities of the relevant agencies, noting that they already have authority to regulate healthcare professionals, investigate fraud, and suspend or revoke licences where appropriate.
Cooperation with Federal Prosecutors
The order also authorizes the state agencies, subject to the governor's approval, to work with federal prosecutors to identify and combat birth tourism schemes. The cooperation may include sharing information and resources and referring suspected violations of federal law for further investigation.
Focus on Organized Schemes, Not Individual Births
The executive order does not prohibit pregnant foreign nationals from traveling to Texas or giving birth in the state. Instead, it focuses on organized birth tourism operations and the licensed individuals or businesses accused of helping people travel to Texas primarily so their children can obtain U.S. citizenship at birth. The order, signed on July 21, 2026, took effect immediately. It will remain in force until it is modified, amended, rescinded, or replaced by the governor.
Broader US Crackdown on Birth Tourism
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the US intensified its crackdown on birth tourism networks involving foreign nationals seeking citizenship for children born in America. The State Department said embassies uncovered fraudulent visa applications, revoked affected visas and imposed travel bans on some offenders.
