A California man was sentenced on Monday to 41 months (nearly 3 1/2 years) in prison for operating a large-scale business that helped pregnant Chinese women travel to the United States to give birth, ensuring their babies would automatically receive American citizenship.
Michael Wei Yueh Liu, 59, was found guilty in September of conspiracy and money laundering while running his company, USA Happy Baby. His wife, Phoebe Dong, was also convicted earlier this year in connection with the operation.
Dong is expected to be sentenced early next year, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Central District of California.
After receiving his sentence, Liu was led out of the courtroom and taken into custody. Before leaving, he handed his attorney his belt and a folder and briefly held Dong’s hand as she sobbed.
He pleaded for leniency, citing his role as the primary caretaker for his elderly parents and 13-year-old son. A dozen supporters, many from his church, attended to offer moral support. Liu expressed remorse, telling the court.
“My intent was always to uphold the values of integrity and responsibility, so I regret any actions or decisions that may have brought us to this moment of judgment”.
“I am not here to deflect responsibility, but to seek mercy.”
Federal prosecutors had requested a five-year sentence, but U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner reduced it to 41 months, citing Liu’s family obligations. However, Klausner emphasized that it was Liu’s own actions that led to the situation.
“These are choices you made, not the court,” Klausner said.
“Defendants’ family members are often the ones who suffer, but it is the defendant’s actions, not the court’s, that caused the harm.”
According to federal authorities, USA Happy Baby facilitated the travel of hundreds of pregnant Chinese women to the U.S. between 2012 and 2015.
The women paid as much as $40,000 for services that included apartment rentals in Southern California and guidance from overseas agents who coached them on how to pass visa interviews and avoid detection at U.S. airports. Women were advised to wear loose clothing to conceal their pregnancies.
“For tens of thousands of dollars each, the defendant helped his numerous customers deceive U.S. authorities and buy U.S. citizenship for their children,” prosecutors stated in court filings.
“This criminal conduct is serious and requires a meaningful sentence to promote respect for the law and hold the defendant accountable.”
Prosecutors declined to comment after the sentencing.
Liu’s attorney, Kevin Cole, requested a 26-month sentence and asked the court to allow Liu to serve it at home.
He argued that Liu played a critical role in his family, caring for his 95-year-old father and 82-year-old mother by driving them to medical appointments, bathing them, and preparing their meals.
Cole also noted Liu’s otherwise upstanding life, including his service in Taiwan’s military and his dedication to his family.
“He’s somebody that has lived an honorable life,” Cole said. “There’d be no benefit to him or the public for an extensive prison sentence in this case.”
The case against Liu and Dong dates back to a 2015 federal crackdown on businesses that catered to foreign nationals seeking to give birth in the U.S.
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Authorities raided more than a dozen homes across Southern California and, four years later, charged Liu, Dong, and over a dozen others. One of the defendants, who operated a company called You Win USA, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 months in prison.
These so-called “birth tourism” operations have long existed in California and other parts of the U.S., catering to clients from countries such as China, Russia, and Nigeria.
While it is not illegal for pregnant women to visit the U.S., lying to consular and immigration officials about the purpose of their trip on government forms is against the law.
