Greg Abbott Signs Executive Order Targeting Birth Tourism Schemes

Governor Greg Abbott signed an executive order on July 21, 2026, directing state agencies to investigate and eliminate birth tourism schemes. The order targets individuals who travel to the United States illegally or under false pretenses to secure birthright citizenship for their children. This action follows a U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding the 14th Amendment's guarantee of citizenship to those born on U.S. soil.

The directive mandates that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, the Texas Medical Board, the Texas Board of Nursing, and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation pursue enforcement actions against entities facilitating these schemes. Penalties for licensed healthcare providers include the revocation or suspension of licenses, denial of state benefits, and prohibition from state contracts. State agencies are also authorized to partner with federal prosecutors to identify potential federal law violations.

The crackdown follows a July 7 order that led the Health and Human Services Commission to investigate hospitals advertising birth packages in Mexico. Mission Regional Medical Center previously admitted to using Spanish-language billboards in Mexico to promote childbirth services to foreign nationals. In response, the facility stated its maternity service marketing materials are no longer in use due to unintended misunderstandings.