CNMI Governor Ralph Torres Photo: CNMI Govt
The Northern Marianas governor Ralph Torres has sought federal government help to curb the practice of birth tourism in the commonwealth.
Birth tourism is the practice of travelling to another country for the purpose of giving birth in that country.
The main reason for birth tourism is to obtain citizenship for the child in a country with birthright citizenship such as the United States.
Governor Torres spoke about birth tourism being a major problem for the Marianas in an interview with Fox News Channel's Tucker Carlson Tonight.
He said birth tourism affected the islands' overall tourism industry, its national security interests and strained its healthcare resources.
Governor Torres and his administration want the US Congress to adopt House Joint Resolution 21-4, HD2.
This resolution seeks to eliminate birthright citizenship for babies born as a result of birth tourism.
