Kris Ramsingh, a Virginia entrepreneur who emigrated from Trinidad in 2006 and naturalized in 2015, says birth tourism and illegal border crossings are a "slap in the face" to people who followed legal immigration procedures. He described the federal requirements he met—vaccines, background checks and proof of financial self-sufficiency—and tied his views to support for stricter enforcement. Ramsingh, who founded Dominion Custom Upholstery and a missionary nonprofit, said his experience of a 1990 coup in Trinidad shaped his appreciation for the U.S. role abroad. He emphasized he is not anti-immigrant but opposes unlawful entry and wants the legal system respected.
Immigrant Entrepreneur Says Birth Tourism and Illegal Crossings Are a “Slap in the Face” to Legal Immigrants
Immigrant business owner who built the American Dream says birth tourism is a 'slap in the face'
Kris Ramsingh, a Virginia business owner who emigrated from Trinidad in 2006 and became a U.S. citizen in 2015 after a nearly decade-long legal process, told Fox News Digital that birth tourism and unlawful border crossings feel like “a slap in the face” to people who followed the legal path to citizenship.
Ramsingh—who arrived in the United States with his wife and just $300—said his personal experience navigating immigration requirements shaped his views on enforcement and policy. "When you see that people come across the border, whether it's [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 to the people who have worked really hard to come into this country the legal way," he said.
He described the documentation U.S. authorities required of him as part of the naturalization process: proof of specific vaccinations, personal identification documents, a criminal background check and evidence of financial self-sufficiency to show he would not become a ward of the state.
Kris Ramsingh visits the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Va.(Fox News)
"America doesn't owe us anything. Our government here doesn't owe us anything. We have the privilege of coming into this country whether it's a holiday visa or for school," Ramsingh said.
Business, Mission Work and the American Flag
After settling in Roanoke, Virginia, Ramsingh founded Dominion Custom Upholstery 13 years ago and later launched another company focused on boatworks and interior repairs. He also established Dominion Project International, a missionary organization that brings potable water, medical supplies and religious outreach to communities in India, Africa and the Caribbean.
The week of Independence Day marks the anniversary of his arrival in the U.S., and the holiday carries deep personal meaning. Ramsingh recalled living through a 1990 coup attempt in Trinidad—when insurgents shot Prime Minister A.N.R. Robinson—and said seeing U.S. troops arrive gave his family a sense of security and gratitude toward the United States.
"The American Dream is that you can try something—you can work hard and try and if it doesn't work out you can pick up and try again," he said. "The flag represents peace [and] hope... it means freedom." He added that, since naturalizing, returning from overseas missions now brings a strong sense of being home whenever he lands on U.S. soil.
Kris Ramsingh is seen at his Roanoke, Va., home.
On Politics and Immigration
Asked whether former President Donald Trump is anti-immigrant, Ramsingh rejected that label. He said he and many Republicans support lawful immigration and that their criticism targets unlawful entry. "He’s not anti-immigrant. Republicans are not anti-immigrant—we just want them to go through the process of doing it legally; coming in legally," Ramsingh said, adding that recent policy choices under the Biden administration have been portrayed by critics as having effectively opened the border.
While acknowledging the emotional difficulty of some deportation stories, Ramsingh said those cases are symptoms of years of inconsistent enforcement. Drawing on his experience in developing countries, he said he understands why people want to come to America but believes the system should be respected and managed legally.
Fox News Digital contributors Hannah Brennan and Kiera McDonald contributed to the reporting.
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