California Woman Sentenced to Over 3 Years for Running 'Birth Tourism' Scheme

Phoebe Dong and her ex-husband helped over 100 Chinese women give birth in the U.S. to secure citizenship for their children.

Phoebe Dong received a 41-month prison sentence for conspiracy and money laundering through her company, USA Happy Baby.
The scheme involved coaching pregnant Chinese women to deceive U.S. immigration officials and arranging accommodations in California for childbirth.
Dong and her ex-husband, Michael Liu, charged clients up to $40,000 for services that included travel and housing arrangements.
The case is part of a broader crackdown on 'birth tourism' businesses, which exploit U.S. birthright citizenship laws under the 14th Amendment.
The sentencing occurs as debates over birthright citizenship intensify, with President Trump’s recent executive order to narrow its definition being blocked by a federal judge.