A Rancho Cucamonga man was sentenced to more than three years in prison for his role in a birthing scheme that prosecutors alleged allowed more than 100 parents to travel to the U.S. from China to give birth so that their children would have U.S. citizenship.
Michael Wei Yueh Liu, 59, was sentenced to three years and five months in prison after a four-day trial on Sept. 13 found him and 47-year-old Jing Dong guilty of one count of conspiracy and 10 counts of international money laundering, according to the Department of Justice.
Starting as early as January 2012 through May 2015, Liu and Dong ran a maternity home in Rancho Cucamonga and rented homes, where they provided short-term housing and services to pregnant women who traveled to the U.S. from China to give birth, so their kids would have U.S. citizenship.
Liu and Dong typically charged customers between $20,000 and $40,000 for their services, but sometimes charged “VIP” customers $100,000.
Usually about a month or two after giving birth, the women returned to China, according to the DOJ.
As part of their services through USA Happy Baby, Liu and Dong helped customers obtained visas to enter the U.S., get customs entry transportation and apply for legal documents for their children. They also instructed their customers on how to hide their pregnancies from immigration authorities and knew or deliberately avoided learning that their customers lied on their U.S. visa applications, the DOJ said.
Most of the time, customers’ visa applications said that they were visiting the U.S. for several days or weeks for tourism, when in reality they were traveling to the country for months to give birth, according to the DOJ.
Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | As Trump threatens mass deportations, Central America braces for an influx of vulnerable migrants
As Trump threatens mass deportations, Central America braces for an influx of vulnerable migrants Crime and Public Safety | Santa Clara County becomes first county in the nation to approve oversight committee for residential care facilities
Santa Clara County becomes first county in the nation to approve oversight committee for residential care facilities Crime and Public Safety | Feds arrest in California former Syrian official who oversaw prison charged with torture
Feds arrest in California former Syrian official who oversaw prison charged with torture Crime and Public Safety | ‘You don’t know what’s next.’ International students scramble ahead of Trump inauguration
‘You don’t know what’s next.’ International students scramble ahead of Trump inauguration Crime and Public Safety | California’s 2nd largest county aims to further limit cooperation with immigration authorities, but sheriff pushes back Visa applications also falsely stated where the customers would stay throughout their visit, which was at USA Happy Baby’s maternity hotel. The number of apartments used throughout the scheme varied, but at one point in 2014, prosecutors believed more than 30 apartments were used.
Liu and Dong also told customers to fly to ports of entry where they believed there was less scrutiny at customs, like Hawaii, before they flew to Los Angeles. They also told them to wear loose fitting clothing, to choose lines at customs that they believed were less strict and advised them how to answer questions from customs officials.
Liu and Dong received money from overseas that they used to promote the birthing tourism scheme. To promote their services, Liu and Dong advertised the benefits of giving birth in the United States, which they claimed included “better air” and less pollution, food safety, better educational resources and a more stable political environment as well as the possibility their kids could petition to bring their parents to the U.S. in the future.
The pair used agents in China to recruit pregnant Chinese nationals who wanted to give birth in the U.S. and persuade them to use USA Happy Baby’s services. They then paid the agents 30% of the package fees and kept the remaining 70%, according to court documents.
Prosecutors argued that one of the defendants received more than $3.8 million in wire transfers from overseas between August 2012 and March 2015, the DOJ said.
In the U.S., Liu and Dong employed more than 20 people through USA Happy Baby and paid them mainly with cash, according to court documents.
Liu and USA Happy Baby would file false federal income tax returns and failed to report $1.9 million in income from 2012 to 2014, according to court documents.
California man sentenced to more than 3 years for running birthing tourism scheme
- Advertisment - 
Recent Comments
on David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Big Tech companies will cover travel expenses for employees’ medical procedures, including abortion
on Russian cruise and ballistic missiles kill 4 in Ukraine and Ukrainian rockets kill 2 in Russian city
on A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer
on GameFly Sale Offering Nintendo Switch Sports at a Mind-Blowing Price, Don’t Miss the Opportunity!
on Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on San Mateo County Community College District sues five companies over role in ‘pay to play’ scandal
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on The Rev. Al Sharpton to lead protest after Florida governor’s ban of African American studies course
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on Saipan, placid island setting for Assange’s last battle, is briefly mobbed – and bemused by the fuss
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on Iowa State starting RB Jirehl Brock among latest college football players charged in gambling probe
on Biden to tout bill’s prescription drug prices, energy provisions in pitch to Americans, aide says
on Iowa State starting RB Jirehl Brock among latest college football players charged in gambling probe
on The Rev. Al Sharpton to lead protest after Florida governor’s ban of African American studies course
on Sports World Hails ‘Superwoman’ Lindsey Vonn for Her Grand Comeback Despite Career-Changing Injury
on San Mateo County Community College District sues five companies over role in ‘pay to play’ scandal
on Saipan, placid island setting for Assange’s last battle, is briefly mobbed – and bemused by the fuss
on ‘Pokémon Scarlet’ and ‘Violet’ Fan Theories Suggest Legendary Time Travel, Alternate Dimension Plot
on Joe Manchin and Tommy Tuberville introduce bill on name, image and likeness rules for college sports
on Inside the Michael Jordan ‘Air’ movie, plus why NFL, others are buying into the sports film industry
on If you’re a frequent traveler, these wrap tops from Aday will revolutionize your on-the-go wardrobe
on How Does Jack Nicklaus Travel? Exploring the Private Jets Owned by the ‘Golden Bear’ Over the Years
on Hollywood Reporter: Tom Cruise negotiated with movie studios over AI before the actors strike began
on Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on Dozens of boats cruise the Seine in a rehearsal for the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony on July 26
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Boise State vs. Air Force live stream, odds, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on Biden to tout bill’s prescription drug prices, energy provisions in pitch to Americans, aide says
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Carlos Sainz’s Soccer Fanboy Emerges as Spaniard Shares Defining Moment With This Real Madrid Legend
on Biden: ‘At this point I’m not’ planning to visit East Palestine, Ohio, after toxic train derailment
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on Ahead of big sports weekend, dispute with Disney leaves millions of cable subscribers in the dark
on A heavy wave of Russian missile attacks pounds areas across Ukraine, killing at least 4 civilians
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on Army vs. Coastal Carolina live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on AL Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez Spreads Joy and Sportsmanship to the Youth of Loma de Cabrera
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on Dubai International Airport sees 41.6 million passengers in first half of year, more than in 2019
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on Dave Portnoy: Taylor Swift’s security should ‘drag Kim Kardashian to jail’ if she attends Eras Tour
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports, Serie A announce new TV rights deal; Paramount+ to air over 400 Italian soccer matches
on Cam Newton’s Violent Public Incident Draws Hilarious Reaction From 3x All-Star: “Where Do I Sign Up
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Angel Reese Launches Foundation Dedicated To Empowering Women Through Sports & Financial Literacy
on A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer