(Press Release) — House Floor Leader Marissa Flores has introduced the Business Integrity and Regulation of Tourism Harms or BIRTH Act, landmark legislation designed to eliminate the commercial birth tourism industry and reinforce the integrity of federal immigration systems.
She said the BIRTH Act represents a first-of-its-kind, jurisdictionally tailored approach that targets the organized commercial facilitation of birth tourism, including brokers, maternity housing operations, coordinated travel packages, and deceptive practices related to citizenship-based marketing.
Importantly, she added, the law is structured to complement — not conflict with — federal authority, focusing exclusively on commercial conduct within the Commonwealth while preserving federal jurisdiction over immigration, admission, and citizenship determinations.
“This legislation demonstrates that the Commonwealth is taking concrete, enforceable action to address birth tourism at its source—the commercial enterprises that profit from it,” Flores said. “We are committed to working alongside our federal partners to ensure that visitor programs are used as intended.”
She said the Commonwealth’s action comes at a time when available data already reflects significant progress.
According to the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation, tourist births have declined by approximately 92%, from 581 births in 2018 to 47 in 2025, now representing a small fraction of total deliveries. This decline underscores the effectiveness of coordinated federal policy and local enforcement measures.
“This is a model for how a U.S. jurisdiction can take meaningful action within its authority while supporting federal enforcement,” said Flores. “We are demonstrating that strong local laws and federal policy can work together effectively.”
The Commonwealth reaffirms its continued commitment to lawful tourism, economic partnership, and national security, and respectfully encourages continued coordination with the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to ensure consistent and effective application of visitor admission standards.
