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.

Dymon New Ad Dec 5 Test

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.

Similar stories
1 of 1,458
Dymon New Ad Dec 5 Test

For families awaiting Green Cards, the impact is even more severe. Over a million Indian nationals are stuck in a decades-long backlog for permanent residency, with no clear resolution in sight. Without birthright citizenship, children born to these families may face self-deportation or visa hurdles when they turn 21.

As families weigh their options, some are contemplating returning to India altogether. President Trump addressed this potential exodus, stating, “I don’t want to break up families. But the only way to avoid it is to send them all back.”

The move to end birthright citizenship challenges the 14th Amendment, which unequivocally states: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.”

Legal experts predict that Trump’s order will face intense scrutiny from the Supreme Court, potentially setting the stage for a landmark ruling. If the courts uphold the amendment, only a constitutional change could permanently end birthright citizenship. However, amending the Constitution requires a two-thirds majority in Congress and approval from three-fourths of state legislatures—a lengthy and arduous process.

This bold move is seen as a gamble by Trump, one that could redefine the U.S. immigration landscape while embroiling his administration in years of legal battles.

With no constitutional amendment since 1992, the battle over birthright citizenship could extend far beyond Trump’s presidency. For now, the order has thrust millions of immigrants into uncertainty, highlighting the precarious balance between policy reform and its human impact.

As debates rage on, one thing is clear: the fight over birthright citizenship will shape the future of America’s identity as a nation built on immigration.

NEWS

You might also like More from author

Comments are closed.