California couple convicted for running Chinese birth tourism scheme

A Southern California couple, Michael Liu and Phoebe Dong, were convicted by a jury for their involvement in a birth tourism scheme that facilitated pregnant Chinese women traveling to the U.S. to give birth, thereby granting their children American citizenship. The couple was found guilty of conspiracy and multiple counts of money laundering in a federal court in Los Angeles. This case emerged from a broader crackdown on birth tourism operators, which began nine years prior when federal authorities conducted searches across Southern California. Prosecutors argued that Liu and Dong collaborated with overseas entities to coach women on how to deceive U.S. immigration officials during visa interviews. They allegedly advised these women to wear loose clothing to conceal their pregnancies and to avoid drawing attention to themselves upon arrival in the U.S. The defense contended that the prosecution failed to establish a direct link between the couple and the pregnant women in China, asserting that their services were only provided once the women were already in the U.S. The defense also claimed that birth tourism should not be considered a crime, emphasizing that many women faced severe consequences under China's one-child policy if they returned home to give birth. They argued that assisting these women was a noble endeavor rather than a criminal act. However, the prosecution maintained that the couple's business model was fundamentally based on deception. Liu and Dong are scheduled for sentencing on December 9, following their conviction. The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding immigration fraud and the complexities surrounding birthright citizenship in the United States.