LOS ANGELES (AP) — A California man was sentenced Monday to nearly 3 1/2 years in prison for running an extensive business to facilitate birth tourism for pregnant Chinese women, enabling their children to automatically gain U.S. citizenship upon birth.
Michael Wei Yueh Liu, aged 59 and based out of Rancho Cucamonga, was convicted of conspiracy and money laundering for his role at USA Happy Baby. U.S. authorities had initially sought to impose a five-year prison term on him for his operation, which helped several hundred women to give birth on American soil between 2012 and 2015.
During the sentencing, Liu’s attorney, Kevin Cole, argued for leniency, citing Liu’s role as the caregiver for his elderly parents and his 13-year-old son. Cole suggested Liu posed no threat to society and emphasized his otherwise honorable background. “He’s somebody who has lived an honorable life,” Cole told the court.
After his 41-month sentence was handed down, Liu was led away by authorities, having briefly held the hand of his sobbing ex-wife, Jing Dong, who also faces sentencing for her part in the scheme. Liu had expressed remorse for his actions, stating, “My intent was always to uphold the values of integrity and responsibility, so I regret any actions or decisions….”
U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner acknowledged the familial hardships Liu's conviction would impose but stressed the responsibility lay with Liu’s choices. “These are choices you make, not what the court makes,” Klausner said.
The operation of USA Happy Baby charged clients between $20,000 and $40,000 for its services, which included apartments for the women during their stay and advice on how to deceive immigration authorities. The company would coach these women to misrepresent their travel plans, claiming they were merely tourists intending to stay for days or weeks, though they typically remained for months.
Prosecutors diligently detailed the extent of the fraudulent practices, stating, “For tens of thousands of dollars each, defendant helped his numerous customers deceive U.S. authorities and buy U.S. citizenship for their children.” Authorities revealed the shocking practice of coaching clients on dressing to conceal their pregnancies and how to respond if questioned by U.S. customs officials.
During its investigation, the federal government conducted several searches across Southern California as part of their crackdown on birth tourism businesses over the years, resulting not just in Liu’s case, but involving multiple similar operations seeking to exploit birthright citizenship.
While it is not illegal to visit the United States as a pregnant woman, lying to immigration officials on visa applications is strictly forbidden. The lure of U.S. citizenship has often encouraged such schemes, as many view it as advantageous for their children’s future education and residency prospects.
The scheme's organizers would recruit clients through agents located overseas and prepare them through various tactics to secure entry and residency. This illegal operation is not isolated solely to China but has involved women from various countries, including Russia and Nigeria, seeking the benefits of American citizenship for their offspring.
Despite the crackdown on such operations, the demand for birth tourism remains potent, influenced by the advantages it offers. Individuals believe by securing birthright citizenship, there is not only immediate benefits for their children but also potential future advantages as they navigate the American immigration system.
The case against Liu and Dong is merely one of many highlighted as authorities continue to seek responsible parties for orchestrated efforts to bypass immigration laws. With Liu’s sentencing carried out, and Dong awaiting her own punishment, this high-profile case serves to remind potential operators of such schemes about the serious consequences of their actions.