Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered a state investigation into a South Texas hospital accused of advertising birth tourism services to foreign nationals in Mexico.
In a directive issued Wednesday, Abbott instructed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to investigate allegations that Mission Regional Medical Center in the Rio Grande Valley promoted maternity packages specifically targeting expectant mothers from across the border.
According to Abbott’s office, the investigation follows reports that billboards in Mexico advertised the hospital’s maternity services to foreign nationals that wanted to give birth in the United States.
“Birth tourism is an illegal practice that exploits the extraordinary hospitality of Texas and the United States,” Abbott wrote in a letter to state health officials.
“Thousands of foreign travelers come to the United States under false pretenses to give birth and secure citizenship for their children,” he continued. “HHSC must investigate the hospital, a facility it regulates, for any violations of state law and contractual obligations.”
Mission Regional Medical Center has denied any wrongdoing.
In a statement, the hospital insisted it was simply advertising maternity services in the same manner as many healthcare providers and that it has not engaged in any unlawful conduct. Hospital officials also said the promotional materials cited by Abbott are no longer in use.
Abbott’s office indicated that if investigators uncover violations of state law, the case will be referred to the Texas Attorney General’s Office and local prosecutors for possible civil or criminal enforcement.
The governor also directed HHSC to pursue administrative sanctions or penalties against the hospital if warranted.
Beyond the investigation, Abbott pledged to seek additional legislation during the next session to further restrict birth tourism operations in Texas.
The announcement comes amid renewed national attention on birthright citizenship following the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Trump v. Barbara, which left existing interpretations of the 14th Amendment in place.
Although the Court declined to eliminate birthright citizenship, President Donald Trump has since called on Congress to address the issue legislatively.
Following the ruling, Trump argued that Congress has the authority to create statutory exceptions limiting automatic citizenship for children born to individuals who are in the country unlawfully or temporarily. Justice Brett Kavanaugh also echoed the position.
Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) recently introduced the “Anchors Away Act,” which would prohibit foreign nationals from entering the United States while pregnant for the purpose of obtaining citizenship for their children.
Abbott’s latest action reflects a broader trend in Texas, where state leaders have increasingly pursued aggressive immigration deterrents.
Since launching Operation Lone Star, the governor has sought to use state resources to combat illegal immigration through enhanced border enforcement, criminal prosecutions, and legal challenges.
The hospital investigation suggests that effort is now expanding beyond border crossings themselves to include institutions that state officials believe may be facilitating practices that encourage unlawful immigration.
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