A California man has been sentenced to nearly 3 1/2 years in prison for operating a business that facilitated pregnant Chinese women traveling to the United States to give birth to babies who would automatically receive American citizenship.
Michael Wei Yueh Liu, the man behind the operation known as USA Happy Baby, was convicted of conspiracy and money laundering. His wife, Phoebe Dong, who was also involved in the scheme, is awaiting sentencing.
Liu received a 41-month sentence and was taken into custody immediately after the hearing. Despite prosecutors seeking a longer prison term, the judge considered Liu’s family responsibilities as a caregiver to his parents and son when determining the sentence.
USA Happy Baby assisted hundreds of women from China in delivering babies on U.S. soil between 2012 and 2015, charging them up to $40,000 for services that included accommodation and visa assistance.
The case against Liu and Dong was part of a larger crackdown on “birth tourism” operators in Southern California. While it is legal to visit the U.S. while pregnant, providing false information to immigration officials is prohibited.
Birthright citizenship in the U.S. has been a major incentive for individuals seeking to secure a better future for their children. President-elect Donald Trump has expressed intentions to end birthright citizenship, though the feasibility of such a change remains uncertain.
By Amy Taxin
Please rewrite this sentence.
Source link
