LOS ANGELES — A man from California received a sentence of nearly three and a half years in prison on Monday for overseeing a business that facilitated the travel of pregnant Chinese women to the U.S. The women traveled to give birth, resulting in their children obtaining American citizenship automatically.
Michael Wei Yueh Liu, 59, was given a 41-month sentence after being found guilty in September of conspiracy and money laundering. He operated a company named USA Happy Baby. Liu’s wife, Phoebe Dong, was also implicated in the operation but is awaiting sentencing early next year after their separation.
Following the court’s decision, Liu was taken into custody by authorities. Before his departure, he briefly held his wife’s hand as she expressed her grief. In court, Liu implored for a lighter sentence, emphasizing the responsibility he felt towards his elderly parents and his 13-year-old son, all of whom rely on him for support. Liu mentioned the struggles his family has endured since a raid took place on his business in 2015.
“My aim has always been to embody integrity and accountability, and I regret any actions that have led to this conclusion,” Liu stated during his hearing. He expressed concern that his imprisonment would leave his family in a fraught situation, adding, “I am not attempting to evade accountability, but I am here to ask for mercy.”
U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner acknowledged that often, it is the family members of defendants who feel the repercussions of their choices, but he pointed out that the decisions leading to harm were made by the defendant himself. Nonetheless, the judge took Liu’s family circumstances into account when determining the sentence length. “These are choices you make, not that the court makes,” Klausner remarked.
According to U.S. officials, the USA Happy Baby service assisted several hundred expectant mothers traveling from China to give birth in the U.S. between 2012 and 2015. The customers paid up to $40,000 for various services, such as housing in Southern California, while the company provided guidance on how to prepare for visa interviews. Recommendations included wearing loose-fitting garments to disguise their pregnancies upon arriving in the U.S.
Federal prosecutors argued that Liu helped these women deceive U.S. authorities, claiming, “For tens of thousands of dollars each, the defendant aided numerous customers in obtaining U.S. citizenship for their children.” They called the actions serious and underscored the necessity for a substantial sentence that would encourage compliance with the law.
After the sentencing, prosecutors opted not to comment immediately. Liu’s attorney, Kevin Cole, requested a maximum of 26 months for Liu and sought consideration for home confinement due to his responsibilities as the primary caregiver for his elderly parents. Cole highlighted Liu’s prior honorable life, including his military service in Taiwan and his dedication to his family. “He’s a person who has led an honorable life,” Cole argued, contending there would be no advantage in giving Liu extensive time behind bars.
The investigation into Liu and Dong began years earlier. Federal agents raided multiple residences across Southern California in 2015, targeting businesses like theirs that catered to pregnant women coming to the U.S. to give birth. In 2019, charges were brought against Liu, Dong, and over a dozen other individuals linked to similar ventures, including a woman who received a sentence of 10 months for her role in another company, You Win USA.
These businesses have been commonplace in California and beyond, serving clients not only from China but also from countries such as Russia and Nigeria. While visiting the U.S. during pregnancy isn’t illegal, providing misleading information to consular and immigration officials is prohibited.
The appeal of U.S. birthright citizenship has made it attractive for travelers, who often believe it can aid their children in securing a college education in the U.S. Additionally, once the child reaches the age of 21, the parents can apply for permanent residency, seen as a potential long-term strategy. President-elect Donald Trump has expressed intentions to eliminate birthright citizenship, but pursuing such changes may encounter significant legal challenges.