Three infants and two adults huddle at the possible birthing center in Queens

Investigators believe the house was used as a "birth tourism" center, where women from abroad – in this case China – were delivering their children, two law enforcement officials said. Under federal law, a child born in the United States automatically becomes a US citizen and may later, as an adult, sponsor foreign family members to obtain a green card and possibly citizenship.

"The location is used to obtain citizenship," said a manager of these facilities.

The State Child and Family Services Office and the New York City Department of Heath and Mental Health are investigating whether an illegal operation is going on at home, have indicated officials. The Office of Child and Family Services has stated that the home is not licensed or regulated as a child care service.

According to law and immigration officials, there is no federal law that specifically prohibits travel to the United States to give birth.

However, according to Sascha James-Conterelli, president of the Midwives Association If a baby is born outside of a registered establishment and that no doctor or midwife is present, in in most cases, a baby would be transported to an approved facility, such as a hospital, and the baby would be registered. "It's worth noting that the baby was born outside the school," said Ms. James-Conterelli.

Ms. James-Conterelli stated that she knew of two independent and authorized birthing centers in Brooklyn, but none in Queens.

Ms. Mahaffey said that state-regulated child care programs are not allowed to care for babies under 6 weeks old unless programs are approved by the government. 39; State.

In recent years, West Coast prosecutors have instituted criminal proceedings against operations designed to facilitate birth tourism.

Nine prosecutors, including five women and four men, and at least 11 cradles were inside the house when the woman was attacked, said the prosecutor of Queens. Some parents were also present, said Mrs. Holmes.

NYPD police took the 52-year-old woman into custody, the police said. A law enforcement official identified the suspect as Yu Fen Wang, a worker at the so-called birth center. She was found unconscious with a wrist injury to her left wrist, Ms. Holmes said. Police recovered a bloody meat knife in the kitchen of the house and a knife in the bathroom sink, an official said.

Two adult guards and two of the stabbed children were taken to local hospitals in stable condition. The other child victim was injured in the abdomen and was in critical condition, but is expected to live.

"We hope that these young, small and very fragile babies will also be strong enough to overcome this horrible act of senseless violence," said Queens District Attorney Richard Brown in a statement.

Ms Holmes said the police had not received emergency calls at home, but that someone called the 311 in 2011 to report cries of children.

Write to Zolan Kanno-Youngs at [email protected]