Pregnant woman
(Photo : Reuters)

Federal agents raided three dozen homes in Southern California on Tuesday to put a stop to 'birth tourism.'

Such business involves charging pregnant women as much as $50,000 to stay in 'maternity hotels' until they give birth. The motel provides lodging, meals, and transportation to hospital visits. 

Birth tourism is a scheme in which foreign mothers give birth to their babies on American soil so that they are considered American citizens. 

The JR Motel, a 28-room former motel in Orange, is known to house pregnant women from China. The motel has no sign and is not open to the general population.

The JR Motel has violated multiple safety codes and was operating in a zone that does not permit its kind of 'business.'

The motel provides three meals a day for its occupants. It also has a nursery room and strollers.

Dozens of law enforcement agents swarmed the apartment complex shortly after sunrise. 

Investigators believe the women knew to lie about their plans. Business owners also promised the pregnant women Social Security numbers and passports for their babies. 

According to court papers, over 400 babies were born at one local hospital in the past two years.

There has been no arrest made.

Also Read: Trump Administration to Strip U.S. Citizenship From Fraudulent Immigrants

Planning commissioners in the county held a public hearing Monday where they voted to revoke the permit of the two-story JR Motel.

The attorney of the motel's owner Tony Lu said they can find a solution with the city officials. 

Lu also said they are serving locals who also practice the traditional 30-day Chinese confinement after birth. 

The commissioners pushed through with shutting down the business. They said the owner did not describe the purpose of the facility when he sought a permit in 2015. 

The commissioners also said the owner made unpermitted altercations in the facility's floor plans. 

"There were no violations when it was approved. And then, there were," the senior assistant city attorney said. 

Is it legal?

Birth tourism is legal. However, agents can prosecute operators who encourage clients to lie to officials about their reasons for entering the country. 

President Donald Trump and some scholars are looking into making changes to the constitutionality of birthright citizenship. 

Birth Tourism Explained

The rule indicates foreign pregnant travelers applying for a tourist visa in the US are required to submit documents showing they are not entering the country to obtain US citizenship for their child.

Foreign travelers must convince a consular officer they have a legitimate purpose in entering the country. 

White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said the new rule is intended to enhance national security as birth tourism 'invites criminal activity.'

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said nearly 10,000 foreign women gave birth in the US in 2017.

Advocates for women's rights condemn the policy saying it will make it harder for women to travel to the United States. 

They also said women who need serious medical care or who live in countries with a high infant and maternal mortality rate should be exempted from the rule. 

The policy was put in effect in January 2020.