Florida Lawmaker Proposes Harsh Penalties for Birth Tourism

Florida lawmaker Randy Fine is introducing a bill that seeks to impose harsh penalties on birth tourists, non-citizens who enter the United States with the primary intent of giving birth to secure American citizenship for their children. The proposed legislation would mandate prison sentences ranging from 10 to 25 years for these parents, following a U.S.

Supreme Court decision that upheld birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment. Fine's plan targets the parents directly, as the court ruling limits changes to citizenship rules.

The bill classifies entering the country or concealing travel intentions for childbirth as a major federal crime. Fine argues that birth tourism imposes significant costs on American taxpayers, who end up covering hospital bills and social services.

Although the child would still gain citizenship, the parents would face mandatory prison terms and deportation. Critics of the proposal argue that such extreme measures could lead to larger societal issues, including the care of American citizen children whose parents are incarcerated.