Federal investigation found several “birth tourism” agencies in California
California- business Li Dongwon’s name is “You won the United States”Authorities say she Trained Chinese pregnant women how is it Enter the U.S. in order to Give birth Who will automatically enjoy American citizenship.
Two years, now 41 years old Raised millions of dollars in his businessFuture mother Each of them paid between 40,000 and 80,000 dollars to come to California, Authorities said that they lived in a luxury apartment to give birth. Lee, who was arrested on Thursday, was one of the 20 people who first cracked down on a US company by the federal government. Birth travel The prosecutor believes that this has led to Hundreds of pregnant women To the United States.
42-year-old Jingdong and 53-year-old Michael Wei Yueliu, He allegedly ran “American Happy Baby”, Was also arrested.
Thom Mrozekek, a spokesman for the US lawyer’s Los Angeles office, said that on Wednesday, all three pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy, visa fraud and money laundering. The trial is scheduled for March 26.
According to a report by the CBS Los Angeles branch, an indictment alleges that Happy Baby of the United States used the apartment at Cucamonga Ranch to serve Chinese officials, including members of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau.
Liu and USA Happy Baby were also accused of submitting false tax returns, and reportedly received no more than $1.9 million in returns within three years.
The indictment alleges that Liu and Dong used 14 different bank accounts to receive more than US$3.4 million in international wire transfers from China in 2013 and 2014 alone. There are also more than a dozen companies, including a third company. The defenders are also facing charges, but the prosecutor said they are believed to have returned to China.
The authorities stated that although it is not illegal to visit the U.S. during pregnancy, the authorities stated that these operations were targeted by federal agents in 2015 and touted the benefits of U.S. citizens’ babies.Who can get free public educationThe company allegedly also allowed women to hide their pregnancy while seeking travel visas and lying about their plans, and a You Win USA customer told consulate officials that he was working at the Trump Hotel in Hawaii.
The U.S. authorities stated that these transactions also pose a national security risk because its clients (some of whom work in the Chinese government) have already obtained U.S. citizenship Applicable to children who can move to the United States, once they reach 21 years old, sponsor their parents to obtain a green card.
“I think this is a serious concern and vulnerability to national security.”Said Mark Zito, assistant special agent in charge of national security investigations for immigration and customs enforcement.
The message sent to lawyers Li and Dong did not return immediately. Liu’s lawyer, Derek Tung, said that Chinese women’s growing interest in giving birth to American babies has aroused people’s attention to this phenomenon, which is long-term employment by citizens of other countries.
The birth travel business has been operating in California and other states for a long time, providing services to couples from China, Russia, Nigeria and other countries. In the past, when neighbors in residential areas complained about overcrowding or excessive trash, operators sometimes encountered trouble with local law enforcement officials, but they were not subject to federal government scrutiny.
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