The Michigan Attorney General’s Office alleges that pregnant women from Lebanon, Syria and Yemen came to the US to deliver their babies. They applied for Medicaid in Michigan claiming that they intended to remain Michigan citizens (a requirement for obtaining emergency Medicaid coverage). Michigan Medicaid paid for the deliveries, then the women returned to their home countries.

“We take these cases very seriously, and we are working closely with both federal and state agencies to put an end to this activity,” Attorney General Mike Cox said.� “Other leads continue to be followed and the possibility exists that more people will face charges.”

The Attorney General’s Office filed 23 cases in October 2003 claiming that these women stated on their visitors visa’s that they intended to return to their native countries, and they did return soon after delivering their babies.

In Michigan, people convicted of falsifying Medicaid applications can face a four-year jail sentence and a $50,000 fine.