Surge in C-Sections as Immigrants Race to Beat Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Ban
Indian families in the U.S. on H1B or L1 work visas—a population already facing long waits for permanent residency—are particularly alarmed.
On Monday, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. Mere hours later, he enacted an executive order targeting the 14th Amendment—a cornerstone of U.S. citizenship law since 1868. The amendment guarantees citizenship to children born on U.S. soil, regardless of their parents’ nationality. Trump’s order seeks to restrict this right, a decision that has already triggered lawsuits from 22 states and civil rights organizations.
This executive action marks the beginning of a broader crackdown on immigration, a key promise of Trump’s campaign. However, its immediate implications have sent shockwaves through immigrant families, especially among Indian professionals on temporary visas.
Indian families in the U.S. on H1B or L1 work visas—a population already facing long waits for permanent residency—are particularly alarmed. The executive order, which takes effect on February 20, 2025, means that children born after this date will only gain citizenship if at least one parent is a U.S. citizen or a Green Card holder.
This looming deadline has triggered a surge in demand for pre-term cesarean deliveries among Indian expectant mothers. Doctors across the country are reporting an uptick in requests for early deliveries to ensure their children secure birthright citizenship before the new policy takes effect.
“A seven-month pregnant woman came with her husband to schedule a cesarean, even though she’s due in March,” said Dr. S.D. Roma, a New Jersey-based gynecologist, in an interview with The Times of India.
Similarly, Dr. S.G. Mukkala, an obstetrician in Texas, has counseled numerous couples about the risks of pre-term deliveries. “Complications include underdeveloped lungs, low birth weight, and neurological issues,” he noted. “Yet, I’ve spoken to 15-20 desperate couples in just two days.”
The anxiety stems from the fact that many Indian professionals on work visas envisioned a future in the U.S., with children automatically gaining citizenship and securing the family’s place in the country. However, this new policy drastically alters those plans.
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