A Texas state representative is calling for felony penalties for those engaging in birth tourism, following a recent Supreme Court decision. The lawmaker, Brian Harrison, appeared on a television program to discuss the issue and outline a plan for state-level action. Harrison is demanding immediate action from the governor to address the practice of foreigners entering the country specifically to give birth and secure citizenship for their children.
Harrison's plan involves making birth tourism a state-level felony through a special session of the legislature. He is urging the governor to call a special session to address the issue, citing the state's authority to regulate activities within its borders. Harrison argues that Texas should decide what is legal and what is not, and that birth tourism should be prohibited.
In addition to seeking a special session, Harrison is also pushing for swift administrative steps to address birth tourism. He believes that the governor and state health officials can immediately stop issuing birth certificates to non-citizens and illegal aliens. This move would not require a special session and could be implemented right away.
Harrison expressed concern that the state of Texas continues to issue birth certificates to non-citizens and even advertises on its website which foreign documents it will accept. He argues that this approach actively encourages birth tourism rather than deterring it. By providing birth certificates and making it easy for non-citizens to obtain them, the state is inadvertently incentivizing the practice.
The lawmaker believes that the state's current approach is a betrayal of Texas residents, who are negatively impacted by birth tourism. He is calling for a change in approach, urging the governor and state officials to take immediate action to address the issue. Harrison's plan aims to prevent foreigners from exploiting the system and taking advantage of birthright citizenship.
