President Donald Trump urged the Supreme Court to reconsider the birthright citizenship case. His call to action came after reports of billboards promoting birth plans at U.S. hospitals surfaced in Mexico.
On Truth Social, Trump mentioned the presence of “signs and billboards” near the U.S.-Mexico border offering deliveries starting at $4,000. He claimed the arrangement was exploitative, with significant amounts of money generated “illegally.” Trump emphasized the need for the Supreme Court to rehear the case, criticizing a recent decision that rejected his executive order challenge to the 14th Amendment. He described the decision as a “miscarriage of justice” with the potential to harm America.
“This miscarriage of justice will destroy America if they don’t change their absolutely insane decision,” Trump wrote.
The controversy Trump pointed to allegedly involved the Mission Regional Medical Center (MRMC) in South Texas. Governor Greg Abbott stated on Tuesday that MRMC was targeting undocumented immigrants by promoting birth packages that offer citizenship to children born on U.S. soil.
Newsweek contacted MRMC, the White House, and the U.S. Department of Justice for further comments.
Birth Package Billboards: Key Details
Abbott requested the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) investigate MRMC for allegedly appealing to foreign nationals with advertisements in Mexico. These ads purportedly promoted a practice known as birth tourism.
The campaign reportedly stated that natural births start at $3,950, while C-sections cost from $5,525, as per Fox News. Abbott highlighted in a press release that “birth tourism” exploits U.S. and Texas hospitality. According to him, thousands enter the U.S. under false pretenses to give birth and secure citizenship for their offspring. He urged HHSC to examine the hospital for any legal violations.
MRMC acknowledged its involvement in the ad campaign but denied supporting or facilitating illegal activities.
Trump reiterated that selling American citizenship is illegal. He labeled the practice mentioned in the allegations as unlawful.
Recently, Republicans in Congress have voiced concerns about birth tourism. They regard it as a significant issue for the country. Representative Andy Ogles, a Tennessee GOP member, has proposed legislation to prohibit pregnant immigrants and visitors not related to U.S. citizens from entering the United States.