Donald Trump has announced he will ask the US supreme court to reconsider its ruling on birthright citizenship, citing what he described as shocking new evidence: a Texas hospital advertising maternity services to expectant mothers in Mexico via billboards. The president posted on his social media platform, claiming that signs and billboards are being put up across the southern border and Mexico advertising birthright citizenship with deliveries starting at $4,000. This appeared to be a significant exaggeration of a Fox News report on just two billboards.
Supreme Court Ruling Under Fire
The US supreme court last month rejected Trump's attempt to restrict birthright citizenship, ruling that his directive violated the 14th amendment of the US constitution, which grants citizenship to those born in the United States and subject to its jurisdiction. Trump claimed that the justices 'will destroy America if they don't change their absolutely insane decision'. However, the supreme court rarely grants requests to rehear cases, and has not done so after issuing a ruling in an argued case in decades.
Texas Hospital Advertising
Fox News confirmed that a single hospital in Mission, Texas, located five miles from the border with Reynosa, Mexico, had advertised delivery packages on two Spanish-language billboards in Mexico and on social media. The report was based on a photograph posted by Mayra Flores, a Trump-backed former Republican congresswoman from Texas born in Mexico, who is running to return to Congress. The image has recirculated on social media as Trump supporters call for a shutdown of pregnant women entering the US after the president's failed attempt to deny birthright citizenship.
Hospital Response
Mission Regional Medical Center, a public nonprofit hospital, told the Guardian that the billboards and associated website, havemybabyinTEXAS.com, are no longer in use due to unintended misunderstanding. The hospital stated, 'We do not support or facilitate any unlawful activity and work to comply with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations.' The marketing materials regarding maternity services were removed to avoid confusion, and the hospital expressed intent to work cooperatively with local and state officials.
Governor Abbott Orders Investigation
Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered an investigation of the hospital on Tuesday, accusing it of promoting 'birth tourism'. The hospital also deleted an Instagram post in Spanish promoting birthing services, which invited women 'living abroad' to give birth in South Texas but made no mention of citizenship. The Instagram post read, 'Are you pregnant, living abroad, and looking to welcome your baby in South Texas? Look no further! Come and learn about the maternity packages Mission Regional Medical Center has for you.'
Trump's Executive Order
Trump, who has repeatedly tested presidential power, issued an executive order ending birthright citizenship on his first day back in office last year, as part of a suite of policies to crack down on legal and illegal immigration. The supreme court's rejection of that order has prompted his latest call for reconsideration, though legal experts note the high court rarely grants such requests.
