Rancho Cucamonga Duo Found Guilty in Major Birth Tourism Case
Rancho Cucamonga Couple's Scheme Exposed
A federal jury convicted Michael Liu and Phoebe Dong for running a birth tourism business targeting pregnant women from China, who sought to obtain American citizenship for their newborns. The couple was found guilty of one count of conspiracy and ten counts of money laundering in a Los Angeles court.
Details of the Birth Tourism Operations
- Their company, USA Happy Baby, allegedly assisted hundreds of birth tourists from 2012 to 2015.
- Charges included deceptive guidance to pregnant women on visas and immigration.
- Amounts charged for services reached as high as $40,000.
Impact on Immigration Policies
Federal prosecutors argued that Liu and Dong's business practices undermined U.S. immigration laws. Their case has raised further awareness on the legalities surrounding immigration, birthright citizenship, and the concept of birth tourism.
The court proceedings highlighted the tension between immigration facilitation and compliance with U.S. laws. This case follows years of scrutiny over such operations in California.
Next Steps for the Convicted Duo
Liu and Dong are set to be sentenced on December 9, with the case reflecting broader issues of immigration practices involving pregnant women seeking to navigate the visa process.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.