Medical care is an essential service for every individual, and, due to globalization, people move globally in search of better services. People from developing countries seek advanced medical care in developed countries for chronic diseases, such as cancer, and complicated operations. There is nobility for these developed countries in accepting individuals seeking medical services. People who go to these well-established nations to give birth may be seeking better facilities for delivering or enabling the born child to get this country’s citizenship. This intent is referred to as “birth tourism” (Nori, 2016, p. 88). It allows individuals to go to their preferred destination and deliver so as their children get citizenship and all the benefits of such citizenship of their preferred country. In the United States, the Fourteenth Amendment talks about citizenship, stating that, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside” (Goldstein, 2019, p. 178). This law existed before the establishment of the Fourteenth Amendment, tracing back to the nineteenth century.
Birth tourism is legal in the US and anybody has a chance to move and start a new life. It has facilitated its growth in the nation and the idea of the US being the superpower and one of the best countries (Wang, 2017, p. 4). The United States has marketed itself as the land of freedom where individuals can achieve their aspirations or live the American Dream. This presentation of America attracts many individuals, and because it is hard to get citizenship through other means, birth becomes the easiest way to acquire nationality. Due to advancements in technology, communication has become much more accessible, enabling people to share birth tourism ideas easily. This simplicity in communication has brought agencies that provide services in helping women who want to deliver in the US (Wang, 2019, p. 6). An example of these agencies is Doctores Para Ti. “Doctores Para Ti runs a maternity tourism program, through which they “[facilitate their] childbearing service to foreign women who wish to receive safe and [adequate] medical care in the United States of America and obtain U.S. Citizenship for their newborn” (Nori, 2016, p. 88). Proponents of this idea see this development to help people get better medical services that they cannot get in their own countries. Delivering foreign children in the US increases diversity and represents America’s image as the free world it strives to be. However, there are some moral questions regarding birth tourism and the implications such practices have on the country’s economy. Many believe that the rise of agencies taking money to facilitate women to deliver in the US shows that many of these women’s motivation is not healthcare needs. The government has made changes, adopting new regulations when issuing entry visas to pregnant women. Despite medical care being an essential need in the US, measures must be put in place to ensure birth tourism does not become an industry where individuals pay to acquire means to get to the US for the sole purpose of delivery.
Many healthcare proponents argue that allowing people into the country for medical services is a humane act as it seeks to save lives, eliminate suffering, and promote harmony globally. This analogy is accurate because healthcare services are fundamental human rights protected by international laws, and America opening its doors shows compliance to these laws (Mikhael et al., 2016, par. 8). Many US neighbors, especially from the south, are countries that can be categorized as developing countries. These countries’ resources in healthcare are underdeveloped, and facilities are scarce, making their healthcare systems unreliable. Some individuals, thus, seek better medical services in the US. Delivery is a medical service that bears grave risks, including the life of the mother and the unborn child. The child mortality rate in developing countries is much higher than in the US and many countries bordering the US are said developing countries. Mathews & Driscoll, (2017) present statistics to show a decline in infant mortality rate, “Over the past decade, the overall infant mortality rate in the United States has improved, declining 15% from 6.86 infant deaths per 1,000” (p. 1) Therefore, it is understandable for individuals to seek delivery services in the US to ensure their children’s survival.
Many countries bordering the US are not more financially secure than the US, and people seek to travel to the US to get better opportunities. Countries such as Mexico and Colombia have been affected by drug wars over the past couple of decades, leading to many individuals’ deaths and insecurity in these countries. These harmful elements result in poor economic growth, affecting every aspect of people’s lives. Poor economic growth limits employment opportunities resulting in high levels of unemployment. A parent who seeks a better life for their child may see coming to America as a good alternative due to increased chances of success there (Goldstein, 2019, p. 182). Giving birth in America gives the child an American identity that they can pursue to accomplish their dream later in life. American citizenship also gives the child all the benefits of an American citizen, including better healthcare and education. The Fourth Amendment protects these rights: “The Fourteenth Amendment affirms the ancient and fundamental rule of citizenship by birth within the territory, in the allegiance and under the protection of the country, including all children here born of resident aliens” (Goldstein, 2019, p. 181).Giving a child a better opportunity in life is a noble cause because they are the future leaders, and increasing their chances of success means the country will be left in good hands.
Offering citizenship to foreign newborns causes challenges to the US financially since the budget of the country will have to increase. It brings out moral concerns about how individuals obtain visas and use the opportunities to come to the country (Wang, 2019, p. 3). The US being a strong economy will attract many people to come and improve their lives which might be difficult for them to do in their country due to economic or political reasons. Allowing people into the US to seek medical help is a responsibility that the country cannot shy away from and deny people this crucial service. However, the rise of birth tourism raises concerns for the country. People coming to the US for the sole purpose of giving birth so that their children will get citizenship shows a lack of goodwill from these individuals. Giving citizenship to foreign newborns means the US bears responsibility for that child if and when they reside in the country. The country has to put resources to support the child’s raising, which reduces the resources available for the US citizens (Hong & Dollinger, 2020, par. 5). Resources in educations and health are put under pressure to the increasing number of individuals not accounted for through the country’s estimations during the census. Pregnant women also challenge the State and local governments because these individuals do not pose medical cover. A lack of medical cover means the government will have to provide medical services to these individuals, reducing resources available for individuals in the country. Hong & Dollinger (2020) provide a statistics for an estimate cost, “The costs of the births were fraudulently billed to the state, causing New York’s Medicaid program to lose more than $2.1 million” (par. 5). The statement shows the expensive nature of the practice to the US government.
These newborns given citizenship can access better medical services and an education that makes them competitive in the job market. They can access education and training if science, mathematics, engineering, and technology make them good resources in the economy as production and innovation agents. However, the majority of these individuals do not stay in the US after receiving education and training. These individuals go back to their countries and offer this knowledge and training to their countries’ industries. Their home countries get professionals who facilitate the growth of their economies. Wang (2019) pointed a prime example being the Asian communities, “birth tourism offered a strategy that maximized potential future benefits for their children, giving them educational access and protection from the political uncertainty and instability across the Taiwan Strait” (p. 5). Individuals from these countries who participate in the birth tourism give their children better opportunities to succeed and get an education in the US and go back to these countries and help economic growth there. China is now one of the most prosperous countries globally, and birth tourism has some part to play in this success. The US spends resources in training and developing talents, but this talent is used in other nations, benefiting them, which is not fair to the US.
Agencies have started to offer help to women who need visas to get to the US to deliver and ensure the born kids get better opportunities and proper medical care. The women involved in trying to get these visas have good intentions as they admire the US and hope for their children to get better opportunities. However, according to the government, these agencies are corrupt and engage in visa fraud and tax evasion, making their activities illegal (Hong & Dollinger, 2020, par. 12). These illegal activities give birth tourism practice a negative outlook as it increases criminal activity in the country. Fraud and tax evasion take revenue from the government responsible for allowing State and Federal government to deliver services to its citizens. Rise in criminal activity in terms of money laundering, fraud, and a rise in criminal rings through the birth tourism banner raises concern over national security. Criminal activities have adverse effects on the country’s economy as it directs resources to tackle criminal activities instead of directing resources to build the economy. Criminal activities also lead to suffering among people as they defraud people of their finances by promising visas to individuals seeking the American Dream. This fraud of individuals’ increases suffering among these individuals as it takes their resources and hope for a better future. The government has tried to tackle this problem by making suggestions of amendments and laws restricting visas to pregnant women visiting the country. BBC (2020) presented that, “Mr. Trump has sought to limit immigration to the US, and has previously questioned the US constitutional amendment that grants citizenship to “all persons born or naturalised in the United States” (para. 5). These laws suggested by the Trump administration sought to vet pregnant women from entering the US without sufficient medical cover or money to make payments for their medical services, ensuring that they intended to go back to their country after the period of their stay was over (BBC, 2020, para. 2) This vetting process’ role was to root out those individuals seeking citizenship through birth among genuine individuals visiting the country. However, some people were against these proposals as they saw them as harsh and harassing to pregnant women who are already vulnerable members of society.
In conclusion, some people propose that giving citizenship to foreign babies is a responsibility of the US as medical services are essential for human beings. Others argue that it gives rise to birth tourism, which has adverse effects on the nation’s economy and security. For the proponents of the idea, medical services to individuals are essential services and a human right that cannot be denied. As such, it is the country’s responsibility to offer this service to its citizens and any foreigner seeking help. Those supporting the idea see it as a positive portrayal of America as people deliver because they see America as a land of opportunity and seek this opportunity for their children. On the other hand, those opposing see giving citizenship to foreign babies as a challenge to the economy and national security. Giving citizenship to foreign newborns uses the country’s resources to educate and provide medical services to these individuals. Using medical resources for this reduces resources available for other citizens of the country. Educating these individuals is good to ensure their professional and economic growth. However, educating them uses resources meant for the American people, and the aforementioned individuals leave the country, meaning they do not use the training for America’s good. Leaving the country by these individuals to go back home means the US uses resources and does not get anything in return.
A middle ground between these two opposing sides can be found by acknowledging both sides of the argument’s merits. Enabling individuals to get better medical care is an essential service but coming to America for delivering purposes to get citizenship raises concerns. A middle ground is bringing laws and regulations, vetting individuals seeking medical help without necessary visas. The agencies promising visas should be scrutinized to root out corrupt agents to limit fraud and money laundering activities happening there. Rooting out criminal elements in the agencies will help to improve the visa acquiring process. Cleaning the visa application process will ensure a clear distinction between genuine seekers of help and those seeking citizenship. Foreign pregnant women who find themselves in America should be allowed to deliver, and they should be given proper medical care as any American. The children of these women should be given citizenship according to Fourth Amendment. Foreign pregnant women coming to America for delivery purposes should be investigated on their reasons, and those with genuine reasons should be allowed to acquire medical attention. Still, those with ulterior motives should be denied. The passing of rules will eliminate the rise in birth tourism, according to the federal government.
References
‘Birth tourism’: US steps up scrutiny of pregnant visa applicants. (2020). BBC. Web.
Goldstein, L. F. (2019). Technologies of travel, ‘birth tourism,’ and birthright citizenship. Maryland Law Review, 1(79), 177-190. Web.
Hong, N., & Dollinger, A. (2020). Women in ‘birth tourism’ ring had 119 babies on Long Island, officials say. The New York Times. Web.
Mathews, T. J., & Driscoll, A. K. (2017). Trends in infant mortality in the United States, 2005-2014.
Mikhael, M., Cleary, J. P., Dhar, V., Chen, Y., Nguyen, D. V., & Chang, A. C. (2016). Birth tourism and neonatal intensive care: A children’s hospital experience. American Journal of Perinatology, 33(14), 1415–1419. Web.
Nori, M. (2016). Asian/American/alien: Birth tourism, the racialization of Asians, and the identity of the American citizen. Hastings Women’s Law Journal, 27(1), 87. Web.
Wang, S. H. (2017). “Fetal citizens? Birthright citizenship, reproductive futurism, and the “panic” over Chinese birth tourism in southern California.” Environment and Planning D: Society and Space, 35(2), 263-280. Web.
Wang, S.H. (2019). “Intra-Asian infrastructures of Chinese birth tourism: Agencies’ operations in China and Taiwan.” In Y. W. Chan and S. Y. Koh (Eds.), New Chinese migrations: Mobility, home, and inspirations (pp. 112-127). Routledge.