An increasing number of Russian women are traveling to the United States to give birth so their babies—and eventually, themselves—can get American passports.
The so-called birth tourists take advantage of a law that has been increasingly exploited by different nationalities to varying degrees. The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states that anyone born on American soil is automatically an American citizen.
There’s a long game being played by the mothers as well. When their children turn 21, they can sponsor their parents’ application for an American green card.
That’s exactly the kind of chain migration that U.S. President Donald Trump has targeted recently, saying birthright citizenship is the “biggest magnet for illegal immigration.”
“You have to get rid of it,” he said on “Meet the Press.” “They’re having a baby and all of a sudden—nobody knows—the baby is here. You have no choice.”
Miami is the most popular destination for the pregnant Russian women. Part of Sunny Isles Beach, north of the city is well-stocked with Russian stores and services.
“Sunny Isles beach has a nickname — Little Russia — because people who are moving from Russian-speaking countries to America, they want … a familiar environment,” Roman Bokeria, the state director of the Florida Association of Realtors, told NBC.
“They go across the street, they have Russian market, Russian doctor, Russian lawyer. It’s very comfortable for them.”
Selin Burcuoğlu, a Turkish woman who traveled to the United States to give birth, told the Hurriyet Daily News that it was easy.
I had no problem adjusting and I had an excellent birth. I don’t want her to deal with visa issues—American citizenship has so many advantages.”
