House Republicans are escalating a major investigation into “birth tourism,” issuing a congressional subpoena to a Florida doctor connected to a business that marketed services to foreign nationals interested in giving birth in the United States.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., subpoenaed Dr. Wladimir Lorentz, founder and chief medical officer of Have My Baby in Miami, requiring him to testify at a Sept. 1 congressional hearing.
The investigation puts a new spotlight on the controversial intersection of U.S. immigration law, birthright citizenship and national security — issues that have become increasingly important in Washington as President Donald Trump pushes for tougher immigration enforcement.
House Republicans Escalate Birth Tourism Investigation
Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, is leading the House Oversight task force examining the issue.
The panel says it wants answers about businesses that market maternity and related services to foreign nationals who travel to the United States to give birth.
“Birth tourism” generally describes the practice of foreign nationals traveling to America with the intention of having a child on U.S. soil.
Under the longstanding interpretation of the 14th Amendment, most children born in the United States receive U.S. citizenship at birth, with limited exceptions.
Republican lawmakers argue that businesses built around facilitating such travel deserve greater scrutiny, particularly when U.S. citizenship is promoted as a benefit.
Comer Subpoenas Florida Doctor
The House Oversight Committee previously sought information from Lorentz and other businesses as part of its investigation.
Now lawmakers are taking a more aggressive step.
Comer issued a subpoena requiring Lorentz to appear before Gill’s task force after the doctor did not agree to voluntarily testify, according to the committee and published reports.
Lorentz’s attorney reportedly told congressional investigators that his client could not participate because of a pending criminal investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.
Comer rejected the argument that Congress should wait indefinitely for Lorentz’s testimony.
The Kentucky Republican said Lorentz’s position at Have My Baby in Miami could give lawmakers important information about the company’s marketing practices and the broader birth tourism industry.
Comer also argued that delaying testimony could interfere with Congress’ ability to investigate potential national security concerns and consider possible legislative action.
It is important to note that the existence of an investigation does not establish criminal wrongdoing, and the allegations surrounding the business have not by themselves resulted in a criminal conviction.
Gill Warns About National Security
Gill is raising an even broader concern: national security.
The Texas Republican argues that a growing industry is effectively marketing access to American citizenship to foreigners who travel to the United States specifically to give birth.
He has also highlighted the number of birth tourists reportedly coming from countries such as China and Russia.
Gill says Congress needs to determine whether the practice is being exploited in ways that undermine U.S. immigration laws and American sovereignty.
Those questions are expected to take center stage when lawmakers hold their Sept. 1 hearing, titled “Protecting American Citizenship: Confronting Birth Tourism.”
What Is Birth Tourism?
Birth tourism has been debated for years, but the issue has received renewed attention as the Trump administration moves to tighten immigration and citizenship policies.
The practice generally involves a pregnant foreign national traveling to the United States on a temporary visa and giving birth while in the country.
Having a baby while visiting America is not inherently illegal.
However, deliberately misrepresenting the purpose of a trip when seeking entry into the United States can violate federal immigration rules.
That distinction is expected to play an important role in the congressional investigation.
Republicans are particularly interested in whether companies are actively advertising U.S. citizenship as a reason for expectant mothers overseas to travel to America.
Trump Administration Targets Birth Tourism
The congressional investigation comes as Trump makes birth tourism part of his broader immigration agenda.
Trump signed an executive order in August specifically targeting the practice, arguing that American citizenship should not become a commodity obtained through deliberate exploitation of immigration laws.
The administration’s efforts are part of a much larger legal and political battle surrounding birthright citizenship and the meaning of the 14th Amendment.
Supporters of tighter restrictions argue that current policies create incentives for people to exploit the immigration system.
Opponents contend that attempts to restrict birthright citizenship raise serious constitutional concerns and could conflict with longstanding interpretations of the Constitution.
That dispute is likely to continue through the federal courts.
Florida Business Comes Under Scrutiny
Have My Baby in Miami has become one of the central businesses in the House investigation.
The company’s website and social-media pages appeared to be unavailable as of Thursday, according to published reports.
Previous online material apparently associated with the business offered information for foreign families interested in delivering a child in Miami.
The material addressed issues including living in the United States during pregnancy, the cost of giving birth in America and navigating the pregnancy and delivery process.
It also promoted information about U.S. citizenship for children born in the country.
A 2025 report by Florida’s Local 10 said the company had claimed to have assisted with approximately 2,000 births.
The House Oversight Committee initially contacted Lorentz in May as lawmakers began examining businesses they believed were profiting from birth tourism.
More Witnesses Expected Before Congress
Lorentz is not the only person congressional investigators want to hear from.
Dr. Steven Camarota, director of research at the Center for Immigration Studies, is scheduled to testify.
Dr. Julio César Novoa, medical director and owner of International Maternity Services, has also been invited to appear.
Lawmakers are expected to examine how the industry operates, how these services are marketed internationally and whether existing federal immigration laws are adequate.
The hearing could also lay the groundwork for future legislation.
Immigration Fight Enters New Phase
Gill’s task force has already attracted attention for investigations involving DEI programs and claims of ideological influence within major American institutions.
The panel has previously examined the Smithsonian Institution’s presentation of American history and diversity policies involving organizations such as the American Bar Association.
The birth tourism investigation takes the task force into a different arena, combining immigration enforcement with questions about citizenship, visa rules and national security.
For Republicans, the central issue is whether foreign nationals and businesses are exploiting America’s immigration system to obtain citizenship benefits that lawmakers argue were never intended to be marketed commercially.
For critics of efforts to restrict birthright citizenship, the bigger concern is whether Washington could go too far and interfere with constitutional protections that have existed for generations.
Either way, the subpoena signals that House Republicans intend to pursue the issue aggressively.
The Sept. 1 hearing could reveal new information about how birth tourism businesses operate and whether Congress will pursue tougher federal restrictions.
With Trump simultaneously pushing his administration to crack down on the practice, the battle over who qualifies for American citizenship — and whether the system is being exploited — is poised to remain a major immigration issue in Washington.