A Houston-area business accused of running an illegal birth tourism operation has been ordered to close after a lawsuit brought by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
De’Ai Postpartum Care Center and its operators must cease operations and stop arranging births for foreign nationals under the resolution announced on Friday, September 18, 2026.
The centre, which operated from properties in Sugar Land, Houston, Richmond and Rosenberg, was sued by the state in April. Texas alleged that it helped Chinese nationals travel to the United States to give birth and secure US citizenship for their children while evading immigration scrutiny.
The operators named in the lawsuit are Lin Suling and Lai Wan Lin-Chan. The case was filed in Fort Bend County District Court and accused the business of breaching the Texas Penal Code, violating consumer protection laws and creating a public nuisance.
What the Texas lawsuit alleged
According to court documents, De’Ai had operated for almost two decades and claimed to have been involved in the births of more than 1,000 American-born babies.
State investigators alleged that the business advertised its services through Chinese-language websites and social media platforms, offering accommodation and support to expectant families before and after delivery.
The lawsuit claimed the centre gave clients guidance on navigating immigration procedures and avoiding questions about the purpose of their visit. It also alleged that women were advised to apply for tourist visas before becoming pregnant to reduce the risk of scrutiny.
Texas said the operation could house several families across at least four properties and had the capacity to facilitate as many as 20 births a day.
In a statement issued when the lawsuit was filed, Mr Paxton said: “The Center’s scheme not only facilitated an invasion of Texas, but it also involved shielding and facilitating violations of immigration law. Birthright citizenship is a scam that threatens national security, and I will do everything in my power to stop unlawful ‘birth tourism’ schemes like this one.”
The operators’ allegations have not been tested at trial. Under the legal resolution, however, De’Ai Postpartum Care Center will no longer operate or facilitate births for foreign nationals.
Birth tourism generally refers to pregnant women travelling to the United States to give birth so that their children may obtain US citizenship.
