University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses

Baby citizens (radio report)

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Baby citizens (radio report)

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Content Copyright 2003 BABY CITIZENS (RADIO REPORT) by Jee-in Chun A Thesis Presented to the FACULTY OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF ARTS (BROADCAST JOURNALISM) May 2003 Jee-in Chun R eproduced with perm ission o f the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without perm ission. UMI Number: 1416544 UMI UMI Microform 1416544 Copyright 2003 by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 R eproduced with perm ission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without perm ission. UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THE GRADUATE SCHOOL UNIVERSITY PARK LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90089-1695 This thesis, written by under the direction of h t h e s i s committee, and approved by all its members, has been presented to and accepted by the Director of Graduate and Professional Programs, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of ( A o S ' k r O - f /J r + s Director Date May 16. 2003 Thesis Committee Chair R eproduced with perm ission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without perm ission. TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract Baby Citizens (Radio Report) Bibliography R eproduced with perm ission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without perm ission. Ill ABSTRACT An estimated 5,000 people come from South Korea to the United States each year to give birth so their newborns can have American citizenship. Their reasons range from a desire to get their children to American schools to keeping the boys out of South Korea’s mandatory military service. “Package birth tour” costs up to $20,000. It includes travel agents, immigration lawyers, pre- and post-natal clinics, hospitals and other things a pregnant woman needs. Along with New York, Hawaii and Guam, Los Angeles is the most popular destination because of its large Korean-speaking population. According to the U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, coming as a tourist and giving birth is not illegal, as long as the women do not rely on U.S. welfare system. However, immigration critics and some Koreans criticize the practice, saying that it exploits immigration loophole and is ethically dubious. R eproduced with perm ission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without perm ission. 1 ANCHOR LEAD ACCORDING TO AN IMMIGRATION WATCHDOG ORGANIZATION THE FEDERATION FOR AMERICAN IMMIGRATION REFORM, ABOUT 350 THOUSAND BABIES ARE BORN EACH YEAR TO NON U-S CITIZENS IN THIS COUNTRY. THAT INCLUDES THOSE BORN FROM ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND FROM TOURISTS WHO COME TO THE U-S SPECIFICALLY TO GIVE BIRTH. MOST IN THAT GROUP ARE MEXICANS BECAUSE OF THE COUNTRY’S PROXIMITY TO THE U-S. BUT FOR SOME FROM OTHER COUNTRIES - THE LONG JOURNEY DOESN’T SEEM TO MATTER, AT ALL. HERE’S ONE OF THEM AND JEE-IN CHUN HAS THE STORY. R eproduced with perm ission o f the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without perm ission. 2 TRAC 1 IT’S A POPULAR WAY TO GET A NEWBORN BABY A U-S PASSPORT - KOREAN MOTHERS FLY TO LOS ANGELES TO DELIVER BABIES ON U-S SOIL. IT’S ESTIMATED 20 BABIES ARE BORN THAT WAY EACH MONTH, AND THEY ARE TAKEN HOME AS SOON AS THEY GET PAPERS AND A PASSPORT. IT’S A CLEVERLY MAPPED OUT PLAN. SOT (Counselor Choi) They come here about 3 weeks before their babies are due. They come with tourist visas, bring their medical records with them, and we basically take care of them before and after they give birth. TRAC 2 MS. CHOI COUNSELS PATIENTS AT A SPECIAL PRIVATE HOSPITAL IN LOS ANGELES. SHE ASKED US NOT TO USE HER FULL NAME FOR FEAR THAT SHE’LL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH HER BOSS. R eproduced with perm ission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without perm ission. 3 SOT (Counselor Choi) Coming to America to give birth is pretty common among the rich in Korea. TRAC 3 MANY FLY TO NEW YORK, HAWAII AND GUAM, SAYS CHOI, BUT LOS ANGELES IS THE MOST POPULAR DESTINATION. SOT (Counselor Choi) Most of them come to Los Angeles because we have a huge Korean population here. There are many Korean doctors here who speak fluent Korean, so, they don’t need to worry about the language, and that makes things much easier. TRAC 4 IT’S ACTUALLY EASY FROM STEP ONE WHEN THEY BOOK THE TRIP. TRAVEL AGENCIES BOTH IN KOREA AND L-A HAVE JOINED WITH ABOUT TEN L-A BASED HOSPITALS. TOGETHER THEY OFFER, WHAT’S CALLED, PACKAGE BIRTH TOURS TO PREGNANT WOMEN. R eproduced with perm ission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without perm ission. 4 SOT (Counselor Choi) It includes airline tickets, housing, pre- and post-natal care, immigration lawyers, pick-up services... everything they need. TRAC 5 IT ALL COSTS ABOUT 15 TO 20 THOUSAND DOLLARS - ABOUT FORTY TIMES MORE THAN IT COSTS TO DELIVER A BABY IN SOUTH KOREA. BUT FOR THE RICH, THAT’S NOT A PROBLEM. SOME SAY U-S CITIZENSHIP IS PRICELESS, WORTH ANY AMOUNT OF MONEY. THAT’S WHAT KIM JEONG YEON THINKS, TOO. SOT (Kim Jeong Yeon) I think American citizenship is one of the best gifts I can give to my child as a parent. R eproduced with perm ission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without perm ission. 5 TRAC 6 KIM OWNS A SMALL BOUTIQUE STORE IN AN AFFLUENT AREA IN SEOUL. SHE CAME TO LOS ANGELES LAST SUMMER AND GAVE BIRTH TO HER FIRST CHILD. SHE’S PLANNING TO COME AGAIN FOR HER SECOND ONE DUE IN JULY THIS YEAR. SHE SAYS GETTING U-S CITIZENSHIP FOR HER CHILDREN MAKES A LONG-TIME DREAM COME TRUE. SOT (Kim Jeong Yeon) Even years before I got married, I wanted my children to be bom in the United States. It’s always worth it to buy a good insurance. I’m buying the best future insurance for my children. And since my first child is a boy, one of the biggest burdens of his life is already taken care of. R eproduced with perm ission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without perm ission. 6 TRAC 7 THAT’S BECAUSE AS A U-S CITIZEN, HE WON’T HAVE TO DO SOUTH KOREA’S MANDATORY MILITARY SERVICE. ALL SOUTH KOREAN MEN MUST SERVE TWO YEARS IN THE MILITARY. AND LATELY, THE POSSIBILITY OF WAR INVOLVING THE KOREAN PENINSULA IS OFTEN TALKED ABOUT. THAT FRAGILE ATMOSPHERE IN KOREA IS A DRIVING FORCE FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO HAVE BABIES ABROAD. ANOTHER REASON IS THE POSSIBLE ACCESS TO AMERICAN EDUCATION. SOT (Kim Jeong Yeon) I don’t want my children to suffer like I did in school. All I can remember is going to school early in the morning and come back home around midnight. R eproduced with perm ission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without perm ission. 7 TRAC 8 KOREAN SCHOOLS ARE KNOWN TO BE EXTREMELY DEMANDING. LAST YEAR, THERE WERE THREE SEPARATE CASES WHERE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS COMMITTED SUICIDE BECAUSE THEY WERE UNABLE TO COPE WITH NEVER-ENDING HOMEWORK. SOT (Kim Jeong Yeon) American schools are not only less grueling but also better quality. TRAC 9 WHICHEVER THE REASON, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES REPORTED LAST YEAR FIVE THOUSAND WOMEN COME TO THE UNITED STATES EACH YEAR TO GIVE BIRTH FROM SOUTH KOREA. THE OFFICE OF SOUTH KOREAN CONSULATE GENERAL IN LOS ANGELES DECLINES TO COMMENT, BUT TRAVEL AGENCIES THAT HANDLE AIRLINE TICKETS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AGREE THE NUMBER IS ACCURATE. R eproduced with perm ission o f the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without perm ission. 8 AND KOREAN WOMEN KEEP BUYING TICKETS AND HAVE FEW PROBLEMS ENTERING THIS COUNTRY. SOT (Counselor Choi) So far none of our patients had problems getting visas. TRAC 10 KOREANS MUST HAVE A VISA TO ENTER THE UNITED STATES. A MARRIED KOREAN WOMAN CAN GET A U-S VISA AS LONG AS SHE IS IN GOOD HEALTH AND HAS ENOUGH MONEY IN HER BANK ACCOUNT, SAYS FRANCISCO ARCAUTE. HE’S PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER AT THE BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT - A NEWLY ESTABLISHED AGENCY UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY R eproduced with perm ission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without perm ission. 9 SOT (Francisco Arcaute) Technically, if you are a person of who can support themselves and there’s proof that you have money in the bank and you are employed, yes, you can come in, give birth to a child here TRAC 11 THOUGH NEW IMMIGRATION RULES SHORTENED THE STANDARD TOURIST VISA FROM SIX MONTHS TO 30 DAYS, CHOI SAYS MOST WOMEN MANAGE TO STAY UP TO TWO MONTHS. SOT (Counselor Choi) Just in case they get 30 days visas, we ask them to bring financial statements with them, marriage certificates, and other documents to prove they are not going to stay here longer than necessary. And they will be able to get their visas extended for another 30 days. R eproduced with perm ission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without perm ission. 10 TRAC 12 THEY GET THEIR VISAS EXTENDED EASILY, BECAUSE THEY POSE NO THREAT TO THE COUNTRY. SOT (Francisco Arcaute) Right now our emphasis is much more on keeping criminals and terrorists out of the United States more than persons who choose to come to the United States in this manner. It’s not the greatest concern we have at this point. TRAC 13 THE UNITED STATES IS ONE OF THE FEW COUNTRIES THAT GRANTS CITIZENSHIP TO ANYONE BORN ON ITS SOIL. BRITAIN, AUSTRALIA AND FRANCE CHANGED SIMILAR LAWS IN THE 80S AND 90S. R eproduced with perm ission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without perm ission. 11 FOR THE UNITED STATES, IT’S NOT THAT SIMPLE TO CHANGE THE LAW. THE CITIZENSHIP RIGHTS OF CHILDREN BORN IN THE U-S, EVEN THOSE OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, ARE GUARANTEED BY THE U-S CONSTITUTION. SOT (Ira Mehlman) The issue of birthright citizenship goes back to the 14t h Amendment of the Constitution, which was ratified right after the civil war and the intent was to grant the citizenship to freed slaves. TRAC 14 IRA MEHLMAN IS MEDIA DIRECTOR AT THE WESTERN REGIONAL DIVISION OF THE FEDERATION FOR AMERICAN IMMIGRATION REFORM. SOT flra Mehlman) Over time, it has become applied to anybody who is bom in US soil and there have been some court decisions that have sort of upheld that. R eproduced with perm ission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without perm ission. 12 TRAC 15 MEHLMAN SAYS HAVING WOMEN COME TO THE U-S TO HAVE THEIR BABIES BORN IS A PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS EVERY TAX PAYER. SOT (Ira Mehlman) What is common in this practice is coming here and using the health facilities and not paying the bills. And it winds up being bom by the public, by the tax payers. That’s one of the reasons why you see the cost of health insurance skyrocketing. TRAC 16 MEHLMAN BLAMES WOMEN ESPECIALLY FROM MEXICO FOR DOING THIS. STILL, THE RICH KOREANS PAY THE HUGE SUMS BECAUSE MONEY IS NO OBJECT. SOT (Counselor Choi) Most of them do pay their medical bills....because number one, most of them can afford it, and number two, they don’t want to leave this country with a bad record behind them. R eproduced with perm ission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without perm ission. 13 TRAC 17 STILL, MEHLMAN SAYS TO PAY THE MEDICAL BILL DOES NOT SOLVE THE MAIN PROBLEM. SOT lira Mehlman) You can understand why people would do this from the perspective of people doing it. But there’s also a societal imperative. Society has a right to expect certain commitments from people who are considered citizens. But people who just come here casually to give birth... what you wind up with are citizens of convenience. TRAC 18 THESE, SO CALLED, CITIZENS OF CONVENIENCE ALSO DRAW CRITICISM IN SOUTH KOREA. RECENTLY, A KOREAN TRAVEL AGENCY THAT ADVERTISED ITS BIRTH TOUR PACKAGE ON THE INTERNET HAD TO CLOSE DOWN ITS MESSAGE BOARD, AFTER BEING BOMBARDED WITH NASTY MESSAGES. R eproduced with perm ission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without perm ission. 14 NEGATIVE REACTIONS IN KOREA MAKE THE BIRTH TOURISTS MORE SECRETIVE. SOT (Counselor Choi) Most of them hesitate to tell others even friends and relatives. TRAC 19 THIS IS BECAUSE THEY CAN PAY THE ULTIMATE COST. IN APRIL LAST YEAR, THEN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE LEE HOI CHANG HAD TO HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE BECAUSE HIS DAUGHTER-IN-LAW WENT TO HAWAII TO HAVE HER BABY. LEE LOST THE ELECTION IN DECEMBER. DESPITE THIS, SOME KOREAN WOMEN LIKE KIM SAY THERE’S NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED OF. R eproduced with perm ission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without perm ission. 15 SOT (Kim Jeong Yeon) I’m just proud to be a capable parent. It’s my responsibility to provide the best future for my children. TRAC 20 IT COULD BE A BETTER FUTURE FOR ONE INDIVIDUAL. BUT MANY KOREANS WORRY WHAT WILL BECOME OF KOREA WHEN MORE PEOPLE GIVE UP BEING KOREAN. IN LOS ANGELES, THIS IS JEE-IN CHUN REPORTING. R eproduced with perm ission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without perm ission. 16 BIBLIOGRAPHY “Anchor Babies: Is U.S. Citizenship Owed to Illegal Aliens’ Children?” Federation for American Immigration Reform. Oct. 2002. 10 Feb. 2003 <http ://www. fairus. org/html/04139708.htm> Arcaute, Francisco. Personal interview. 18 Mar. 2003. “Basics of Giving Birth in Hawaii.” Hawaiibabv Research Center for Giving Birth in Hawaii. 19 Oct. 2002 <http://www.hawaiibaby.com/basic.htm> “California State Profile” Federation for American Immigration Reform. Oct. 2002. 10 Feb. 2003 <http://www.fairus.org/html/042ca702.htm> Choi. Personal interview. 17 Jan. 2003. Demick, Barbara. “The Baby Registry o f Choice.” Los Angeles Times 25 May 2002: A1 “Frequently Asked Questions on Giving Birth in Hawaii.” Hawaiibabv Research Center for Giving Birth in Hawaii. 19 Oct. 2002 <http ://www.hawaiibaby. com/basic .htm> “Giving Birth in the U.S.” Hawaiibabv Research Center for Giving Birth in Hawaii. 19 Oct. 2002 <http://www.hawaiibaby.com/usa.htm> Ha, Chun-shik. “Rushing for the U.S. Citizenship.” Weekly Hankook 14 Jun. 2002. Hankooki.com. 1 Nov. 2002 <http://www.hankooki.com/whan/200206/w2002061416335861510.htm> R eproduced with perm ission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without perm ission. 17 “Historical Immigrant Arrival Data - 1821 to 1995.” Federation for American Immigration Reform. May 1996. 10 Feb. 2003 <http://www.fairus.org/html/03002606.htm> Houston, Michael Robert W. “Birthright Citizenship in the United Kingdom and the United States: A Comparative Analysis of the Common Law Basis for Granting Citizenship to Children Bom of Illegal Immigrants.” Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law. Vol. 33. (2000) “How the Immigration Law Went Wrong.” Federation for American Immigration Reform. Oct. 2002. 10 Feb. 2003 <http://www.fairus.org/html/04198102.htm> “Immigration Affects the Whole Country.” Federation for American Immigration Reform. Oct. 2002. 10 Feb. 2003 <http://www.faims.org/html/042us604.htm> “Immigration, Now and Then.” Federation for American Immigration Reform. Oct. 2002. 10 Feb. 2003 < http://www.fairus.org/html/04163810.htm> “Immigration Zero: Pasqua’s Anti-immigration Package Voted by Parliament” FECL Jul. 2003. 12 Oct. 2002 < http://www.fecl.org/circular/! 706.htm> “INS Assures Immigrants of Smooth Transition to Department of Homeland Security.” Press Release. U.S. Department of Justice. Immigration and Naturalization Service, Office of the District Director. [Los Angeles] 27 Feb. 2003. Kim, Bong-gi. “Giving Birth in the U.S., Now A Popular Practice.” ChosunilbofSeoul] 28. Mar. 2002. Digital Mudeapo Daily. 1 Nov. 2002 <http://myhome.naver.com/mudaepo2000/boston/bdailydl 1 1 .htm> Kim, Jeong Yeon. Telephone interview. 30 Jan. 2003. R eproduced with perm ission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without perm ission. 18 Mehlman, Ira. Personal Interview. 10 Feb. 2003. Modi, Monica N. “The Instability of Citizenship in Hong Kong.” New England International and Comparative Law Annual. 11 Oct. 2002. New England School of Law. 12 Oct. 2002 <http://www.nesl.edu/intljoumal/vol3/hong.htm> Mom and Baby Care Home. Hana Medical Center Inc. 21 Sep. 2002 <http ://www.birthinusa.com> “Profile of British Nationality Law - UK Immigration - News and Information.” Gherson & Co. 12 Oct. 2002 <http://www.gherson.com/news.php3?article=nationality> Ramirez, Manuel E., Jr. “Great Britain and the Future of its West Indians.” University of Rochester McNair Program. 1998. University of Rochester. 12 Oct. 2002 <http://www.rochester.edu/College/McNair-Program/1998Joumal/ PoliSci98.html> “Shameful ‘Birth Tour’ Syndrome.” Editorial. Joong Ang Daily 15 Apr. 2002. Joins.com. 1 Nov. 2002 <http://www.joins.eom/opinion/200204/05/200204051817226871100010101 011.html> “Testimony of K.C. Mcalpin, Deputy Director, Federation For American Immigration Reform, before the House Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims of the Committee on the Judiciary” Federation for American Immigration Reform 4 Jul. 1997. 10 Feb. 2003 <http://www.fairus.org/html/08306707.htm> United States. Dept, of Justice. Immigration and Naturalization Service. 2001 Statistical Yearbook of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Feb. 2003. 20. Mar. 2003 <http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/aboutus/ statistics/Yearbook2001 .pdf> R eproduced with perm ission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without perm ission. 19 USA-Baby. Global Tour Inc. 2002. 21 Sep. 2002 <http://www.usa-baby.co.kr/text/main.htm> R eproduced with perm ission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without perm ission.

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Asset Metadata

Creator Chun, Jee-in (author)

Core Title Baby citizens (radio report)

School Graduate School

Degree Master of Arts

Degree Program Broadcast Journalism

Publisher University of Southern California (original), University of Southern California. Libraries (digital)

Tag journalism,OAI-PMH Harvest,sociology, ethnic and racial studies

Language English

Contributor Digitized by ProQuest (provenance)

Advisor [illegible] (committee chair), [illegible] (committee member)

Permanent Link (DOI) https://doi.org/10.25549/usctheses-c16-304150

Unique identifier UC11341171

Identifier 1416544.pdf (filename),usctheses-c16-304150 (legacy record id)

Legacy Identifier 1416544.pdf

Dmrecord 304150

Document Type Thesis

Rights Chun, Jee-in

Type texts

Source University of Southern California (contributing entity), University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses (collection)

Access Conditions The author retains rights to his/her dissertation, thesis or other graduate work according to U.S. copyright law. Electronic access is being provided by the USC Libraries in agreement with the au...

Repository Name University of Southern California Digital Library

Repository Location USC Digital Library, University of Southern California, University Park Campus, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA