Amid President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship as part of his stringent anti-immigration policies, many expectant Indian parents in the US are opting for preterm C-sections to deliver their babies before the February 20 deadline.
Women choosing C-sections are mostly in their eighth or ninth month of pregnancy, though some are still weeks away from full term, according to the Times of India (TOI). Dr. SD Rama, a maternity specialist in New Jersey, mentioned receiving numerous requests for early deliveries. “A woman who is seven months pregnant came with her husband to schedule an early delivery, even though she’s due in March,” She told TOI.
The rush to beat the birthright citizenship deadline is widespread, as babies born after February 20 to non-permanent residents will not automatically be granted citizenship. This proposed change in immigration policy could have a significant impact on millions of Indians living in the US on temporary visas. Birthright citizenship traditionally grants children citizenship based on the country of birth, regardless of their parents’ nationality or immigration status.
Dr. SG Mukkala, an obstetrician in Texas, cautioned couples about the risks associated with preterm births, including underdeveloped lungs, feeding difficulties, low birth weight, and neurological issues according to the report. “I’ve spoken to 15 to 20 couples in the last two days about the risks, and I’m advising them that, while it’s possible, preterm birth poses significant risks to both the mother and the child,” he said.
For many expectant parents, especially Indian nationals on H-1B visas, birthright citizenship has been a vital safety net, particularly with green card wait times extending over a century. One 28-year-old finance professional shared his concerns, saying, “We sacrificed so much to come here, and now it feels like the door is closing on us” if his wife were to give birth after the deadline.
