Texas Governor Orders Probe Into Birth Tourism, Says Citizenship Not for Sale

The directive, signed Wednesday, targets businesses that market pregnancy and delivery services to non-U.S. residents seeking to give birth in Texas so their children automatically obtain U.S. citizenship. Abbott said the practice exploits a constitutional guarantee and undermines immigration law.

The order instructs the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, the Department of State Health Services, and the Texas Medical Board to identify facilities and individuals profiting from such arrangements. It also calls for a review of state licensing requirements for maternity clinics and birthing centers.

Agencies must submit a report within 60 days detailing their findings and recommending legislative or regulatory action. Abbott emphasized that U.S. citizenship is a privilege, not a commodity, and vowed to hold accountable those who commercialize it.

The move aligns with broader Republican efforts to challenge birthright citizenship, which is protected under the 14th Amendment. Legal experts say the order's impact may be limited without federal changes, but it signals Texas's intent to police the practice aggressively.