“When you see that people come across the border … to have a baby for an anchor, or come across the border and get free healthcare, [or] free school, it’s really a slap in the face,” Kris Ramsingh said.
Ramsingh called birth tourism “a slap in the face” to immigrants who followed legal processes and said the practice underscores why he supports stricter immigration enforcement.
From Trinidad to Roanoke: his journey
Ramsingh said he immigrated to the United States in 2006 and became a U.S. citizen in 2015. He told Fox News Digital that he and his wife arrived with about $300 and a few suitcases and worked to build a life after arriving.
He described the naturalization process as thorough and demanding: documentation, proof of certain vaccinations, a criminal background check and evidence of financial stability were all part of the path he completed.
Ramsingh emphasized that his time in Roanoke stretches back roughly two decades and that his life is rooted locally, including frequent references to the Mill Mountain Star as part of his community identity.
Small business and mission work
He founded Dominion Custom Upholstery 13 years ago, growing the shop into a local business that also services marine interiors and related repairs. Ramsingh said the company was his route to stability and to hiring locally.
Ramsingh also runs Dominion Project International, a missionary and aid effort that he says delivers potable water, medical supplies and religious outreach to communities in India, Africa and the Caribbean. He framed that work as a way to give back after finding opportunity in the U.S.
Birth tourism and his policy views
Ramsingh said his legal immigration experience shapes his views on policy. He voiced support for immigration measures promoted by former President Donald Trump and argued that the process should be consistent and enforced.
“America doesn’t owe us anything,” he told reporters, saying legal immigration is a privilege earned by following established procedures rather than something automatically granted.
He argued that federal requirements — including vaccines, documentation and background checks — are reasonable steps that ensure immigrants meet standards and contribute responsibly to their new communities.
While rejecting labels that cast the former president as categorically “anti-immigrant,” Ramsingh said many advocates for stricter rules simply want a system that functions as intended and treats lawful applicants fairly.
Local context and a broader policy debate
Speaking from his shop near Roanoke’s Mill Mountain Star, Ramsingh placed his remarks in a local context as national debates over birthright citizenship and illegal immigration proceed on multiple fronts.
Supporters of reform argue that organized birth tourism and other practices can be used to secure automatic citizenship for newborns and associated immediate benefits. Critics counter that changing birthright rules could harm children and families who have no part in those schemes.
Ramsingh’s voice is one example of how some legal immigrants back tougher enforcement because of the time, expense and documentation their journeys required. He said that perspective is rooted in respect for the rule of law and the sacrifices made to arrive legally.
Key takeaways and source
- Ramsingh immigrated legally in 2006 and naturalized in 2015, citing vaccines, documentation and background checks as part of the process.
- He is owner of Dominion Custom Upholstery (founded 13 years ago) and leads Dominion Project International, which provides missionary and aid work overseas.
- He believes “birth tourism” and undocumented entry undermine lawful immigration and supports stricter enforcement and policies he sees as fair and consistent.
Source: This article is based on reporting published by Fox News Digital. Fox News Digital’s Hannah Brennan and Kiera McDonald contributed to the report. Original reporting: Fox News Digital.
