Kris Ramsingh, a legal immigrant from Trinidad who founded Dominion Custom Upholstery in Roanoke, Virginia, says birth tourism and illegal immigration represent a 'slap in the face' to those who followed the proper legal channels to become American citizens. Ramsingh immigrated to the United States in 2006 with $300 and a few suitcases and did not become a citizen until 2015 after nearly a decade of meeting federal requirements.
Ramsingh, who also founded Dominion Project International, a missionary organization that provides humanitarian aid in India, Africa and the Caribbean, said his own experience navigating the legal immigration process shaped his support for President Donald Trump's immigration policies. He noted that legal immigrants must provide proof of vaccines, personal documentation, pass criminal background checks and demonstrate financial self-sufficiency before gaining citizenship.
What the Left Is Saying
Critics of strict immigration enforcement argue that many undocumented immigrants flee dangerous conditions in their home countries and deserve humanitarian consideration. Immigration advocacy groups contend that the U.S. immigration system is overly complex and underfunded, creating barriers that make legal pathways inaccessible for those seeking safety or economic opportunity. Democratic lawmakers have pushed for comprehensive immigration reform that would create pathways to citizenship for long-term residents without criminal records. Some progressive voices argue that characterizing migration as an 'invasion' mischaracterizes the motivations of families seeking better lives.
What the Right Is Saying
Ramsingh argued that those who enter the country legally deserve recognition for following established procedures, while birth tourism and illegal border crossings undermine the integrity of the immigration system. He said Republicans are not anti-immigrant but rather support legal pathways to citizenship. 'America doesn't owe us anything,' Ramsingh told Fox News Digital. 'Our government here doesn't owe us anything. We have the privilege of coming into this country where it's a holiday visa or for school.' Republican officials have consistently supported stricter border security measures and enforcement-first approaches, arguing that securing borders protects both citizens and those seeking legal entry.
What the Numbers Show
According to Department of Homeland Security data, the naturalization process typically takes 8 to 14 months for most applicants but can extend longer depending on background checks and documentation. Birth tourism, where foreign nationals travel to the U.S. specifically to give birth so children acquire automatic citizenship, has drawn increased legislative attention. A Government Accountability Office report found that births to non-resident mothers represented a small but notable portion of total U.S. births in certain hospital regions.
The Bottom Line
The debate over immigration enforcement continues as the Trump administration pursues stricter border policies. Ramsingh's perspective represents a segment of immigrants who support legal immigration pathways and view enforcement measures as protecting the system they followed. Opponents argue that compassionate approaches should balance security with humanitarian considerations. As Congress debates immigration legislation, perspectives like Ramsingh's are likely to remain part of the broader policy conversation.