Hong Kong Express apologises for ‘humiliating’ pregnancy test
Hong Kong Express has responded publically with an apology after forcing a passenger to take a pregnancy test,
Midori Nishida, aged 25, was flying with Hong Kong Express in November to Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, when she was pulled aside and asked to take the test.
She had already filled out a pre-flight questionnaire saying she was not pregnant.
Ms Nishida said it was ‘very humiliating and frustrating’ and the airline did not follow up with her after she lodged a complaint.
"We would like to apologise unreservedly to anyone who has been affected by this," Hong Kong Express Airways said.
"We took actions on flights to Saipan from February 2019 to help ensure US immigration laws were not being undermined.
"We have immediately suspended the practice while we review it," the airline added.
The US territory has been trying to combat ‘birth tourism’ as babies born on US soil automatically qualify for citizenship.
A loophole used mostly by Chinese women, this has also been a major issue on the US mainland.
However Saipan is the only US jurisdiction where a visa is not required making it a popular option to give birth.
The government says more tourists than residents gave birth in the Northern Mariana Islands in 2018.
Last year a Chinese woman was convicted in a multi-million dollar scheme to defraud US immigration services. She organised travel and visa applications for dozens of Chinese woman to come to the US just to give birth, and coached them what to say to immigration officials on entry.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent