Utah Representative Blake Moore is spearheading a legislative effort to curb the exploitation of US surrogacy services by foreign nationals.The proposed Stopping Adversarial Foreign Exploitation of Kids in Domestic Surrogacy (SAFE KIDS) Act seeks to ban commercial surrogacy arrangements involving citizens from countries deemed adversarial, such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
Sources:
ksl.comblakemoore.house.govThe SAFE KIDS Act aims to invalidate commercial surrogacy contracts with these foreign nationals and impose a misdemeanor charge on surrogacy brokers who knowingly facilitate such agreements.
Sources:
blakemoore.house.govutahpolicy.comMoore emphasized the urgency of the legislation, stating, "Allowing foreign adversaries unrestrained access to the US surrogacy industry is a national security and humanitarian crisis waiting to happen." He noted that many developed nations already prohibit international commercial surrogacy due to associated trafficking risks.
Source:
ksl.comThe bill was introduced in response to alarming reports, including a case involving a Chinese billionaire who allegedly fathered over 100 children through US surrogates.Many of these surrogate mothers claimed they were misled about the nationality of the intended parents.
Sources:
ksl.comutahpolicy.comLawmakers argue that such practices could lead to US citizens being taken to foreign countries, raising significant national security concerns.
Source:
ksl.comCurrently, the US lacks comprehensive federal regulations governing commercial surrogacy, leaving it largely to individual states and private entities to establish ethical guidelines.This regulatory gap has led to fears that foreign nationals could exploit the system to secure US citizenship for their children, thereby circumventing traditional immigration processes.
Sources:
ksl.comblakemoore.house.govThe SAFE KIDS Act has garnered bipartisan support, with more than a dozen House Republicans backing the initiative.Mike Kennedy, another supporter, stated, "Allowing foreign adversaries to exploit Americans, traffic infants, and manipulate our citizenship laws are evil practices we must stop." He highlighted the need for federal law to adapt to these emerging threats.
Sources:
ksl.comutahpolicy.comSenator Rick Scott (R-FL) has also championed the SAFE KIDS Act in the Senate, emphasizing that the US surrogacy system should not be a vehicle for abuse or exploitation.He expressed concern over the potential for foreign adversaries to use surrogacy as a means to gain US citizenship for their children.
Source:
ksl.comCritics of the current surrogacy landscape argue that the lack of regulation makes the US vulnerable to exploitation.For instance, there are no limits on the number of children a surrogate can carry or how many families can utilize the same surrogate, which is a stark contrast to regulations in other developed countries.
Sources:
ksl.comblakemoore.house.govThe SAFE KIDS Act aims to address these vulnerabilities by establishing clear regulations that protect both surrogate mothers and the children born through these arrangements.Lawmakers assert that the bill is a necessary step to prevent foreign adversaries from manipulating US citizenship laws and to safeguard the integrity of the surrogacy process.
Sources:
blakemoore.house.govutahpolicy.comIn conclusion, the SAFE KIDS Act represents a significant legislative effort to protect US surrogacy services from foreign exploitation.As the bill moves through Congress, it highlights the growing concern over national security and the ethical implications of commercial surrogacy in the United States.
