Two senior Republican senators have urged the US Department of Justice to investigate foreign-operated surrogacy centers exploiting American citizenship laws. Senators Tom Cotton and Rick Scott raised concerns about the national security risks posed by these practices. They specifically mentioned Chinese nationals exploiting surrogacy and birthright citizenship laws.
Reports indicate the presence of over 107 Chinese-owned surrogacy agencies in Southern California. These agencies mainly cater to wealthy Chinese clients and have ties to Chinese state-owned entities. Chinese nationals reportedly pay American women over $50,000 to serve as surrogates, with the children born in the US granted automatic citizenship.
Allegations suggest that infants born through this process are taken to China, where they are raised under the influence of the Chinese Communist Party. The senators highlighted a case where a Chinese billionaire fathered more than 100 American-born children to produce male heirs with US passports. They expressed concerns about potential national security risks and urged the Justice Department to investigate the matter fully.
Cotton and Scott requested the DOJ to provide responses by March 13, posing questions about potential violations of federal statutes by foreign-owned surrogacy agencies. They also sought information on the total number of surrogacy clinics operated by foreign nationals nationwide and the extent of Chinese ownership or control. The issue of surrogacy and citizenship policy intersects with broader strategic debates on foreign influence and national security.
