California Man Sentenced for Operating 'Birth Tourism' Scheme for Chinese Nationals

Michael Wei Yueh Liu received a 41-month prison sentence for aiding pregnant women in securing U.S. citizenship for their children through fraudulent practices.

• Michael Wei Yueh Liu, 59, was convicted of conspiracy and international money laundering for running USA Happy Baby, a business facilitating 'birth tourism' for affluent Chinese clients between 2012 and 2015.
• Clients paid between $20,000 and $40,000, with some VIP packages reaching $100,000, to give birth in the U.S. and secure citizenship for their children.
• Liu and co-defendant Jing Dong coached clients on how to deceive U.S. immigration, including hiding pregnancies and falsifying visa applications.
• The scheme involved renting apartments in Southern California as 'maternity hotels' and promoting U.S. birth benefits like education, safety, and political stability.
• Liu's sentence was reduced from the prosecution's five-year recommendation due to his role as a caretaker for his elderly parents and young son, while Dong awaits sentencing.

7 Articles

USA TODAY The Sacramento Bee Times of San Diego Orange County Register Fox News Associated Press Associated Press