Indian Couples in the US Opt for C-Sections to Ensure Citizenship Amid Trump’s Deadline

Er Mukesh Singh

“Indian Couples in the US Request Preterm Births Amid Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Deadline; Doctors Warn of Health Risks”

As the deadline for US President Donald Trump’s executive order on ending birthright citizenship approaches, Indian couples in the United States are rushing to maternity clinics, seeking C-sections in an effort to secure US citizenship for their children before February 20. The executive order, set to terminate the practice of granting automatic citizenship to children born on US soil, has created a wave of concern among expectant parents who are eager to ensure their babies have American citizenship.

The rush has been evident, with numerous couples dialing up doctors and lining up at clinics. One Indian-origin gynecologist revealed that he had received calls from around 20 couples seeking early deliveries. These couples are requesting preterm births, sometimes even asking for scheduled C-sections, to ensure that their children are born before the looming deadline.

Doctors, however, have expressed concern about the health risks associated with preterm births. Both the health of the mother and the child can be jeopardized by early deliveries, as premature births can lead to complications such as low birth weight, respiratory issues, and developmental delays.

The move is prompted by the uncertainty surrounding birthright citizenship in the United States. With the upcoming February 20 deadline, many couples are scrambling to act before the policy change takes effect. While some couples hope the move will guarantee their child’s citizenship, others are also motivated by the belief that US citizenship will offer better opportunities, healthcare, and future prospects for their children.

The situation reflects the broader immigration debate and the anxieties that immigrant families are facing in light of changes to US policies under the Trump administration. As the deadline looms closer, the number of requests for early births and C-sections is likely to increase, sparking a deeper conversation about the future of birthright citizenship and the implications for families who are caught in the middle.

One of the executive orders signed by US President Donald Trump shortly after taking office was aimed at ending birthright citizenship in the United States. Under this order, children born in the US until February 19 will still be granted American citizenship. However, the order stipulates that from February 20 onward, the policy will be terminated, meaning children born after this date will not automatically receive US citizenship, regardless of where their parents are from.

This shift has sparked a rush among Indian couples and other immigrant families, who are eager to ensure that their children are born before the February 20 deadline, securing them US citizenship. As a result, many are turning to maternity clinics and requesting preterm births, with some seeking scheduled C-sections to ensure their children are born before the cutoff date.

This move is part of the broader debate surrounding immigration and citizenship policies in the US, with Trump’s administration pushing for stricter regulations and changes to longstanding practices. The looming deadline has caused anxiety among immigrant families who fear the loss of an important benefit for their children.

After February 19, children born to non-citizen couples in the US will no longer be granted natural American citizenship. This is a direct result of President Donald Trump’s executive order, which seeks to end birthright citizenship for children born to parents who are not US citizens or Green Card holders.

There are tens of thousands of Indians working in the US on temporary H-1B and L1 visas, many of whom are also waiting for their Green Cards, which would grant them permanent residency. Under the new policy, children born to these parents after February 19 will not automatically become US citizens by birth, a significant change that has prompted a surge in requests for early deliveries.

To ensure their children are granted citizenship, many expectant parents are turning to maternity clinics and specifically requesting C-sections before the deadline. The situation is becoming more urgent as the date approaches, with some women opting for preterm births even though they are not yet due.

Dr. S.D. Rama, a prominent gynecologist from New Jersey, has seen an unusual increase in requests for C-sections from women in their eighth and ninth months of pregnancy. Some cases have been particularly concerning, with one patient who was seven months pregnant seeking a preterm delivery, even though her due date is still several weeks away. As Dr. Rama shared with The Times of India, “A seven months pregnant woman came with her husband to sign up for a preterm delivery. She isn’t due until sometime in March.”

These cases highlight the extreme lengths to which parents are going to secure US citizenship for their children before the new policy takes effect. However, medical professionals, including Dr. Rama, have expressed concern over the health risks associated with preterm deliveries, which can put both the mother and the baby in danger.

The rush to give birth before February 20 is further intensified by the belief that children born in the US can serve as a gateway to American residency for their parents. Once these children turn 21, they have the ability to sponsor their parents for a Green Card, which grants them permanent residency in the United States. For many Indian couples, securing citizenship for their children is not just about the benefits for the child, but also a potential ticket to a better future for the entire family.

Dr. S.G. Mukkala, an obstetrician and gynecologist from Texas, voiced his concerns about the risks associated with preterm births. In recent days, he has spoken to around 20 couples who are eager to have their babies delivered before the birthright citizenship deadline. While he understands the urgency from the parents’ perspective, Dr. Mukkala emphasized the serious health risks involved.

He told The Times of India, “I am trying to tell couples that even if it is possible, a preterm birth poses significant risk to mother and child. Complications include underdeveloped lungs, feeding problems, low birth weight, neurological complications, and more.” Despite the risks, many couples remain determined to have their babies born in the US before the deadline, even if it means taking medical risks.

While the medical community warns about the dangers of preterm births, there is some understanding on platforms like Reddit, where users recognize the parents’ motives. One person commented, “Obviously the doctors will say if it’s safe or not, and so on. That’s not terrible parenting.” This reflects the complex emotional and practical decisions faced by parents, who are navigating not just the health of their unborn child but also their family’s future in the US.

One Reddit user shared a sobering perspective on the US immigration process, revealing the frustrations many immigrants face as they navigate the long wait for permanent residency and citizenship. The person explained that, currently, the US is processing EB2/EB3 Green Cards for India from 2012, meaning that individuals who entered the US in 2007 are just now receiving their Green Cards. For those entering the country on temporary work visas, this can mean a wait of over a decade before even securing permanent residency.

The user continued, “If a 22-year-old fresh out of college entered the US in 2007, they will be getting their Green Card around this time. Another 5 years for citizenship. That means by the time they become a US citizen, they’ll be 45 years old.” This perspective sheds light on the harsh realities of the immigration system, where the long waiting times can frustrate the hopes of those seeking a quicker path to citizenship.

In the context of the rush to secure US citizenship for children before the February 20 deadline, this comment highlights the immense pressures faced by immigrant families. The idea of waiting decades for citizenship, combined with the potential policy changes, makes the birthright citizenship pathway seem like one of the few remaining options for securing a future in the US for their families. As the user put it, “Know what you are signing up for,” underscoring the sacrifices and challenges that many immigrants must endure to achieve what they see as the “American Dream.”

The growing backlog for Green Cards, which now stretches to over a century long, has left many immigrants feeling hopeless, and birthright citizenship in the US was one of the few remaining avenues for securing a better future. As the February 20 deadline looms, this policy change is causing deep anxiety among immigrant families who have been counting on their children’s birth in the US as a means to guarantee a path to stability and citizenship.

Priya, an Indian mother-to-be who is expected to give birth in March, shared her fears with The Times of India (TOI), saying, “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. We are terrified of the uncertainty.” Priya’s statement reflects the broader sense of insecurity felt by many immigrant families who have faced long waits for Green Cards and have placed their hopes on their children being born American citizens.

A 28-year-old finance professional, who is also preparing for the birth of his first child, expressed similar fears: “We sacrificed so much to come here. Now, it feels like the door is closing on us,” he told TOI. The deadline for birthright citizenship has intensified the sense of urgency for couples like him, who fear that the American Dream they sought is slipping further out of reach.

The change in policy is even more devastating for illegal immigrants. One California-based man, who has lived in the US for eight years since entering the country illegally, shared his heartbreak as he and his wife—who is seven months pregnant—grapple with the looming deadline. “We were counting on our child being born here to secure a future for us. Now, everything feels uncertain,” he lamented. For undocumented immigrants, the termination of birthright citizenship means that their children will no longer be entitled to US citizenship, adding even more stress to families already living in fear of deportation or legal repercussions.

The policy change has left many immigrant families feeling as though the doors to a secure future are closing, forcing them to act quickly to ensure that their children have a chance at the opportunities that many once believed were guaranteed by the US system.

As the February 20 deadline for President Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship approaches, many immigrant families are grappling with uncertainty and fear for their future in the US. One California-based man, who entered the country illegally eight years ago, shared the emotional toll of the situation: “We thought of seeking asylum, but then my wife got pregnant and our lawyer suggested that we get direct citizenship through our child. Now, we are all at sea.” This reflects the anxiety and helplessness that many immigrants are feeling as their paths to citizenship become more limited under the new policy.

Meanwhile, social media platforms like Reddit have seen some users advising Indian nationals in the US to return to India or consider relocating to other countries. One Reddit user wrote, “Come back to India or relocate to another country,” suggesting that the prospects in the US may no longer be as promising as they once were. This sentiment is echoed by many who feel that the American Dream is now slipping out of reach for immigrant families, particularly those who have spent years waiting for Green Cards and have placed their hopes in birthright citizenship.

In the face of this uncertainty, Indian couples in the US are turning to extreme measures to secure a future for their children. The rush for preterm births and C-sections is a direct result of the looming policy change, as parents are willing to go to great lengths to ensure their children are born before the deadline. With the stakes higher than ever, many expectant parents are focusing solely on one goal: making sure their children are American citizens.

The American Dream, long synonymous with opportunity and success for immigrants, is facing a new test under the Trump administration’s efforts to end birthright citizenship. For many families, the pressure to meet the February 20 deadline has become a matter of survival, pushing them to take drastic steps to secure a better future for their children.

Courtesy: CNN-News18

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