California man Michael Wei Yueh Liu was sentenced to 41 months in prison for orchestrating a business that facilitated pregnant Chinese women traveling to the US to give birth and secure US citizenship for their children. This enterprise, USA Happy Baby, allegedly assisted hundreds of women from 2012 to 2015, charging up to $40,000 for services like accommodation and coaching on visa protocols. Liu's estranged wife, Phoebe Dong, was also implicated and awaits her sentencing. Federal prosecutors emphasized the gravity of the offense, stating Liu's actions allowed customers to "deceive US authorities."
The federal judge, R. Gary Klausner, took into account Liu's roles as a caregiver for his elderly parents and his young son when deciding the sentence, which fell short of the five-year term prosecutors had requested. Liu's attorney, Kevin Cole, argued for a milder sentence and stressed Liu's lack of prior criminal history. Cole conveyed Liu's importance as a caretaker, stating, "Mr. Liu poses no threat to society," emphasizing why a shorter, possibly home-based sentence, would be more appropriate.
Authorities initially cracked down on Liu's operations in 2015 in a broader effort against "birth tourism." Though not illegal to give birth in the US while visiting, the misuse of visa processes for birthing purposes is against the law. This case highlights ongoing concerns around birthright citizenship in the US—a contentious topic Donald Trump once vowed to eliminate, though such efforts would likely encounter significant legal challenges. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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