The Story Of The Week
it's bizarre
Happy Hump Day! You’re halfway to the weekend - time to celebrate small wins.
But before we start, here’s a lil fun task for you:
📌 Treat yourself to something indulgent - a fancy coffee, an extra 10 minutes of sleep, or that dessert you’ve been eyeing
Now, let’s get started…
Birth tourism and a California conviction
Let’s talk about one of the wildest stories making headlines: a California man, Michael Wei Yueh Liu, was sentenced to more than three years in prison for running a “birth tourism” business. Intrigued? Let’s dive in.
The "USA Happy Baby" scheme
Michael Liu, 59, ran a company called USA Happy Baby. Sounds cheerful, right? But behind the name was a business helping pregnant women from China travel to the U.S. to deliver babies who’d automatically gain American citizenship. According to prosecutors, from 2012 to 2015, Liu and his wife, Phoebe Dong, allegedly assisted hundreds of women in navigating the system, charging them up to $40,000 each. That fee covered services like apartment rentals in Southern California, but also included a crash course in deception.
Liu and Dong reportedly trained their clients on what to say during visa interviews and how to conceal their pregnancies while passing through U.S. airports. Officials say many of these women lied on their visa applications—with encouragement from the duo.
Why does it matter?
Birth tourism is a controversial issue. On one hand, it’s about parents seeking the best future for their children. On the other, it’s seen as exploiting immigration loopholes. Prosecutors argued that Liu and Dong’s business crossed the line by promoting deceit, resulting in their conviction for conspiracy and money laundering.
Liu’s wife, Phoebe Dong, was convicted earlier this year and awaits sentencing in early 2025. Meanwhile, Liu, despite pleading for leniency to care for his elderly parents and 13-year-old son, received a sentence of over three years. Federal prosecutors had pushed for five years, but Judge R. Gary Klausner reduced it, considering Liu’s family circumstances.
Liu’s plea
“My intent was always to uphold the values of integrity and responsibility,” Liu said in court. He expressed regret and sought mercy, admitting, “I am not here to deflect responsibility, but to seek mercy.”
The court didn’t buy the plea entirely, and Liu will now face time behind bars. However, his attorney has not yet commented on the case.
What’s next for Phoebe Dong?
Dong’s sentencing looms, and it’s unclear if her punishment will match her husband’s. But one thing’s for sure: this case highlights the high-stakes gamble of birth tourism and the legal risks involved.
The bigger picture
Birth tourism isn’t new. For years, families from various countries have sought to secure citizenship opportunities for their children through U.S. birthright laws. While not illegal in principle, businesses like USA Happy Baby skirt the line—or outright cross it—when they encourage fraud.
This case also sheds light on the broader immigration debate in the U.S. Should the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil, be reexamined? It’s a topic that sparks fierce discussions and varying opinions.
So, that’s it for today. If you found this edition interesting and entertaining, please drop a like and follow us for more!
See ya👋
