Indian couples in US rush for C-sections as deadline for Trump's law ending birthright citizenship nears
Washington DC: There is a surge among Indian couples in the US seeking preterm deliveries before February 20 to secure birthright citizenship for their children, media reports said.
Indian-origin doctors report a substantial uptick in calls and requests for C-sections, with some women considering deliveries even before reaching full term.
Dr. S.D. Rama, a New Jersey-based gynaecologist, noted an unusual number of women in their eighth or ninth months seeking early deliveries.
"A seven-months pregnant woman came with her husband to sign up for a preterm delivery. She isn’t due until March,” he told The Times of India.
The rush is tied to US President Donald Trump’s executive order terminating birthright citizenship after February 19.
From February 20, children born to non-citizen parents without Green Cards will no longer qualify as natural-born American citizens.
This has led to a scramble, especially among the tens of thousands of Indians on H-1B and L1 visas awaiting Green Cards, for whom birthright citizenship was a pathway to stability.
Dr. S.G. Mukkala, an obstetrician in Texas, expressed concern about the health risks of preterm births, including underdeveloped lungs, low birth weight, and neurological complications.
"I am trying to tell couples that even if it is possible, a preterm birth poses significant risk to mother and child,” he said, adding that he had fielded inquiries from 20 couples in just two days, according to The Times of India
For many Indian families, birthright citizenship is a crucial factor in long-term plans.
After turning 21, US-born children can sponsor their parents for Green Cards.
Priya, an expectant mother due in March, told The Times of India, “We were counting on our child being born here. We’ve been waiting for our Green Cards for six years. This was the only way to ensure stability for our family.”
A 28-year-old father working in finance shared similar fears.
“We sacrificed so much to come here. Now it feels like the door is closing on us,” he told TOI as he and his wife prepare for their first child.
For undocumented immigrants, the situation is even more dire.
According to media reports, illegal immigrants are set to face a bigger challenge.
Social media debate
On social media, the debate is polarised.
Some sympathise with the parents’ decisions, noting that doctors will ensure safety, while others question the pursuit of the American Dream.
"American Dream is a scam," one Reddit user wrote, highlighting the long Green Card backlog.
Another suggested Indians in the US should consider returning to India or relocating elsewhere.
The century-long Green Card waitlist and the impending end of birthright citizenship have forced many Indian families to take drastic measures.
As the February 20 deadline looms, the American Dream faces a critical test, with Trump’s policy change pushing parents into a race against time.
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