Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered an investigation into Mission Regional Medical Center following confirmation that the hospital advertised Spanish-language "Birth Packages in South Texas" on billboards located in Mexico. These advertisements promoted childbirth services to pregnant foreign nationals near the U.S.-Mexico border, with prices starting at $3,950 for a natural birth and $5,525 for a C-section. The campaign directed viewers to a now-offline website, havemybabyinTEXAS.com, and included billboards within approximately five miles of the hospital near a border crossing. The billboards also displayed a telephone number with the "001" country code used for calls to the United States from Mexico.
A hospital spokesperson told Fox News that the marketing materials are no longer in use due to "any unintended misunderstanding" and emphasized that the hospital does not support or facilitate unlawful activity, complying with all applicable federal and state laws. The spokesperson noted the campaign began in 2021 but did not specify when the billboards were installed.
Governor Abbott directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to "immediately and thoroughly investigate" the hospital. He stated that any violations should be referred to the Texas Attorney General for civil enforcement and to the appropriate district or county attorney for potential criminal prosecution. Abbott also expressed plans to work with the Texas Legislature in its next session to "strengthen state law and eliminate birth tourism in Texas."
Birth tourism is described as an illegal practice exploiting the hospitality extended by the United States and Texas to foreign travelers, with thousands reportedly coming under false pretenses to give birth and secure citizenship for their children.
Greg Abbott at the State Capitol on April 23, 2025 (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
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