Hong Kong Cracks Down on 'Birth Tourists'

Wall Street Journal ^ | Oct 26 2012 | Te-Ping Chen

[WilliamIII]

HONG KONG—Authorities here have arrested more than 400 mainland Chinese women who have traveled to give birth in the former British colony in the past year, immigration officials said, underscoring the depth of tensions between mainland Chinese and their southern neighbors over the practice.

Most of the new mothers were arrested within one to two days of giving birth, and nearly all were sentenced to jail terms of about two months, officials said.

Giving birth in Hong Kong, which operates under a separate legal system, has emerged in recent years as a popular option for mainland Chinese women seeking access to the city's advanced health and education systems for their children, who gain the automatic right to reside in Hong Kong if they're born there.

However, "birth tourists" are bitterly resented by many locals, who argue the women pose a threat to the city's health and education resources.

[AuH2ORepublican]

Gee, what possible relevance ccould that have to the America of today? /s//

[Right Wing Assault]

Hong Kong is ahead of us on this one.

[Right Wing Assault]

Hong Kong is ahead of us on this one.

[nuconvert]

wow, a whole 400

[Pinkbell]

It’s ok; they can come here. Everyone else does, and nobody does anything about it.

I feel so bad for the women in China who are forced to abortions if they are pregannt with their second child. You never haer our “pro-choice” gang speaking out about that, though, do you?

[Ultra Sonic 007]

To be fair, there are certain variables missing from making this a true equivalent to the US-Mexico situation.

Like China’s One Child Policy.

Now, if Mexico had a One Child Policy enforced upon its citizens, then you might be onto something.

[Never on my watch]

Are they going there to ensure that their 2nd child is allowed to live?

[freedumb2003]

>>Hong Kong is ahead of us on this one.<<

The entire world is ahead of us on this one. We are the only country that doesn’t have an immigration policy designed to actually support us. And we are the most lax in enforcement — where else do illegals not only public declare their illegal status but actually protest and riot because they aren’t getting enough free stuff?

[skeeter]

Funny how the WSJ, who can't seem to understand arguments against our ridiculously loose policies here regarding abuses of the US's immigration system, manages to adequately articulate those of the people of Hong Kong.

[montag813]

Here's a link that doesnt require a subscription.