President Donald Trump has urged the Supreme Court to reconsider the birthright citizenship case on Wednesday, following reports about billboards promoting birth plans at hospitals in the U.S. and Mexico. In a post on Truth Social, he highlighted the presence of “signs and billboards” along the border, advertising delivery services starting at $4,000. He expressed concern that this “SCAM” could lead to billions of dollars being made illegally, with citizenship granted to those willing to pay.
Trump criticized the court’s recent decision to reject his attempt to alter the birthright citizenship provision established in the 14th Amendment via executive order. He wrote, “This miscarriage of justice will destroy America if they don’t change their absolutely insane decision.” The alleged scam refers to an advertising campaign believed to be initialized by the Mission Regional Medical Center (MRMC) in South Texas. Governor Greg Abbott claimed that these ads target illegal immigrants, offering birth packages to allow them to give birth in the U.S., resulting in American citizenship for their children.
Newsweek reached out to MRMC, the White House, and the U.S. Department of Justice for further comment on Wednesday evening.
Birth Package Billboards: Key Details
On Tuesday, Governor Abbott requested the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to investigate MRMC for allegedly targeting foreign nationals through advertisements in Mexico, accusing the hospital of profiting from birth tourism. The campaign offered deliveries starting at $3,950 for natural births and $5,525 for C-sections, according to Fox News.
Governor Abbott described birth tourism as an unlawful practice exploiting the hospitality that the United States and Texas extends to millions of foreign travelers each year. He stated that thousands of foreign travelers enter the U.S. under false pretenses to give birth and secure citizenship for their children. Abbott emphasized the need for HHSC to investigate the hospital, which it regulates, for any violations of state law and contractual obligations.
MRMC acknowledged to Fox News its involvement in the advertising campaign but clarified that the hospital does not support or facilitate any unlawful activity.
Trump reiterated in his post that American citizenship should not be “for sale,” condemning the practice as illegal. Recently, Republicans in Congress have highlighted the issue of birth tourism as a significant concern. Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee has introduced legislation to ban pregnant immigrants and visitors without U.S. citizen relatives from entering the country.
This story is developing, with updates to follow.
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