Dear MEL Topic Readers,
US issues new rules restricting travel by
pregnant foreigners, fearing the use of 'birth tourism'
If a foreigner wants to be a US citizen, he
or she needs to apply for naturalization and go through a long process. But the
chances to be granted citizenship isn’t that high unless they are political
refugees or from designated countries. However, if one is born in the US, he or
she gets citizenship subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. So, if
a soon-to-be or intending-to-be mother wants her child to get a US citizenship,
the easiest way is to go to the US legitimately and give birth there. For
some reason, quite a few numbers of expecting or intending mothers travel to
the US to bear a child there. And where there are demands, there are people and
businesses that try to accommodate their needs. In this case, there is a practice
is called birth tourism. The customers, mostly already-pregnant women, pay from
$15,000 to $50,000, come and stay in a maternity hotel in the US, give birth,
get a birth certificate, and goes home with the newborn baby/babies. It is
estimated that around 10,000 such births have been made each year for the last
few years.
The US administration doesn’t want such
practice and issued a new policy to enhance public safety, national security,
and the integrity of our immigration system. But how is the policy implemented
without having the visa applicant admit whether she is pregnant or not? It
would be challenging for consular and immigration officers to find the real
purpose of the applicant’s visit unless it is so apparent by the appearance.
Why on earth some people want to have their
children have a different citizenship from theirs?
Enjoy reading the article and think about how valuable
US citizenship is.
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