Feds: Six Charged in Long Island ‘Birth Tourism’ Scheme
Long Island federal prosecutors on Wednesday charged six people with operating what officials called a massive illegal “birth tourism” scheme in which dozens of pregnant Turkish women paid up to $10,000 to give birth in Suffolk County so that their children would have U.S. citizenship.
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Inside a Federal Birth Tourism Wiretap: How Turkish Nationals Exploited U.S. Citizenship Law
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York recently unsealed an indictment against six Turkish nationals accused of running a “birth tourism” scheme. The operation allegedly targeted pregnant women in Turkey, coaching them to lie on visa applications so they could give birth in Long Island hospitals. This way, their babies would gain automatic U.S. citizenship.
Inside a Federal Birth Tourism Wiretap: How Turkish Nationals Exploited U.S. Citizenship Law
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York recently unsealed an indictment against six Turkish nationals for running an elaborate “birth tourism” operation. This scheme targeted pregnant women in Turkey, encouraging them to travel to Long Island hospitals to give birth so their children would automatically receive U.S. citizenship. However, the women were coached to lie on visa applications, hiding the true purpose of their travel.
Wiretap Evidence That Cracked the Case
During my time in law enforcement, I coordinated the wiretap investigation that uncovered this criminal enterprise. Using Title III intercepts, our team monitored conversations that revealed how clients were instructed to misrepresent their stay, finances, and housing details. Consequently, this evidence became the foundation of the federal indictment.
In cooperation with Homeland Security and federal prosecutors, we gathered compelling proof of an organized, profit-driven scheme. Learn how wiretap investigations can expose multi-layered conspiracies.
Fraud, Citizenship, and Legal Fallout
Although giving birth in the U.S. is legal, visa fraud is not. In this case, the conspirators charged clients up to $40,000 to facilitate the deception, turning it into a large-scale criminal enterprise. As a result, federal authorities pursued the case under conspiracy and immigration fraud statutes.
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Surveillance That Holds Up in Court
Our investigation produced not only wiretap transcripts, but also financial records, travel documents, and video surveillance. These materials met evidentiary standards and were deemed admissible in court proceedings. Ultimately, this case illustrates the growing necessity of combining digital intelligence with traditional surveillance techniques.
📄 Read the DOJ’s full press release
