Witness In 'Maternity Tourism' Probe Arrested At LAX
LOS ANGELES (AP) - A woman from China has been arrested for attempting to leave the U.S., where she is a material witness in a probe of so-called "maternity tourism."
The Los Angeles Times reports Ying Wu was taken into custody April 15 at Los Angeles International Airport as she prepared to board a flight for Beijing.
Wu is believed to have used the services of a company under investigation for arranging for pregnant Chinese women to give birth while visiting so their babies automatically become American citizens. She is among about two dozen witnesses designated for the government's case.
The 31-year-old appeared Friday before a judge, who confined her to house arrest.
The U.S. Attorney's office says Wu has not been formally charged.
Her attorney could not be reached for comment.