US Congress to probe birth-tourism firms over China, Russia security risks
Synopsis
A US House committee task force has subpoenaed a Miami birth-tourism firm founder and scheduled a 1 September hearing, framing commercial maternity packages for foreign nationals — particularly from China and Russia — as a national security threat. The probe puts birthright citizenship, a 150-year constitutional guarantee, squarely in the political crosshairs.
Key Takeaways
The House Oversight Committee task force chaired by Congressman Brandon Gill will hold a hearing titled 'Protecting American Citizenship: Confronting Birth Tourism' on 1 September in Washington .
A subpoena was issued to Dr Wladimir Lorentz , founder of Miami Medical Concierge Services (Have My Baby) , requiring his testimony at the hearing.
The committee also wrote to Dr Julio César Novoa of International Maternity Services , who has been invited to testify.
Congressman Gill cited travellers from China and Russia as particular national security concerns.
Birth tourism is not a standalone federal crime, though related offences such as visa fraud and money laundering have been prosecuted.
Any legislative challenge to birthright citizenship would face significant constitutional hurdles under the 14th Amendment .
A US House Oversight Committee task force has announced it will investigate commercial birth-tourism businesses that market maternity packages to foreign nationals, citing national security concerns about travellers from China and Russia. The panel has also issued a subpoena to a Florida-based company executive ahead of a 1 September hearing in Washington.
The Hearing and Its Scope
Republican Congressman Brandon Gill of Texas, who chairs the task force, announced on Thursday, 28 August that the committee would convene a hearing titled 'Protecting American Citizenship: Confronting Birth Tourism.' The session will examine how widespread birth-tourism arrangements are across the United States and scrutinise companies that explicitly advertise maternity packages to expectant mothers living abroad.
Such arrangements allow foreign women to travel to the US and give birth there, with their children generally acquiring American citizenship under the 14th Amendment's Citizenship Clause — a constitutional provision in place for more than 150 years.
Subpoena Issued to Miami Firm
The committee served a subpoena on Wednesday to Dr Wladimir Lorentz, founder and chief medical officer of Miami Medical Concierge Services, which operates under the name Have My Baby in Miami. Lorentz is required to testify before the task force at the 1 September hearing.
The committee had previously written to Lorentz on 14 May as part of an earlier probe, requesting documents related to the company's marketing, service agreements, and medical-tourism packages. A separate letter was sent to Dr Julio César Novoa, medical director and owner of International Maternity Services, seeking similar information; Novoa has been invited — but not subpoenaed — to testify. Neither Lorentz, Novoa, nor their companies had publicly responded to the committee's allegations and requests at the time of the announcement.
National Security Concerns Cited
Congressman Gill raised particular alarm about women travelling from countries the US considers adversaries, specifically China and Russia. 'Birth tourism should appall every American citizen. It subverts the rule of law, cheapens American citizenship, and undermines our sovereignty as a nation,' Gill said.
The committee said it would examine whether companies are exploiting birthright citizenship and taking advantage of the US immigration system. However, the panel's announcement did not provide figures on how many women arrive annually for this purpose, nor what proportion originates from China and Russia.
Legal Landscape
Birth tourism is not a distinct federal criminal offence under US law. Authorities have, however, prosecuted operators and clients in cases involving alleged visa fraud, false statements, tax violations, and money laundering connected with commercial maternity schemes.
Dr Steven Camarota, director of research at the Center for Immigration Studies, is also scheduled to appear as a witness at the hearing. This comes amid a broader political push by the current Republican-led Congress to tighten immigration enforcement and revisit the scope of birthright citizenship.
What Comes Next
The task force has indicated it will consider possible congressional action following the 1 September hearing. Any legislative move to restrict birthright citizenship would face significant constitutional hurdles, given the 14th Amendment's long-established legal precedent. Legal scholars and civil liberties groups are expected to weigh in as the inquiry proceeds.
Point of View
No breakdown by nationality — raises questions about the evidentiary basis for the national security framing. Without that data, the inquiry risks being more performative than substantive.
NationPress
28 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the US congressional birth-tourism hearing about?
The House Oversight Committee task force is holding a hearing on 1 September 2025 to investigate commercial businesses that sell maternity packages to foreign nationals, enabling them to give birth in the US so their children acquire American citizenship. The panel has cited national security concerns, particularly regarding travellers from China and Russia.
Who has been subpoenaed in the birth-tourism probe?
Dr Wladimir Lorentz, founder and chief medical officer of Miami Medical Concierge Services — which operates as Have My Baby in Miami — has been subpoenaed to testify before the task force on 1 September. The committee had first written to him on 14 May seeking documents on marketing and service agreements.
Is birth tourism illegal in the United States?
Birth tourism is not a distinct federal criminal offence. However, US authorities have prosecuted operators and clients in cases involving visa fraud, false statements, tax violations, and money laundering linked to commercial maternity schemes.
What is the constitutional basis for birthright citizenship?
The 14th Amendment's Citizenship Clause grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalised in the United States and subject to its jurisdiction. This provision has served as the constitutional foundation for birthright citizenship for more than 150 years and would require a constitutional amendment — or a landmark Supreme Court ruling — to change.
What action could Congress take after the hearing?
Congressman Gill has said the task force will consider possible congressional action following the 1 September hearing. Any legislative attempt to restrict birthright citizenship would face substantial constitutional challenges given the 14th Amendment's established precedent.
