The looming deadline for the termination of birthright citizenship in the United States under President Donald Trump’s executive order has created a frantic rush among Indian couples to ensure their children are born as American citizens. With February 19 marking the cut-off date, couples are increasingly seeking early C-sections to deliver their babies before the new policy takes effect on February 20. This policy change, which ends automatic citizenship for children born to non-citizens in the U.S., has left thousands scrambling to adapt to the new reality.
For Indian couples working on temporary H-1B or L1 visas, the stakes are particularly high. These individuals, many of whom have been waiting for years for Green Cards, are now faced with the prospect that children born after February 19 will no longer automatically be U.S. citizens unless at least one parent holds citizenship or permanent residency. This has led to a surge in requests for preterm deliveries at maternity clinics, particularly in states with large Indian populations such as New Jersey and Texas.
Dr. S.D. Rama, a gynecologist in New Jersey, has reported an influx of requests for early C-sections from women in their eighth and ninth months of pregnancy, with some even seeking to deliver months before full term. "A seven-months pregnant woman came with her husband to sign up for a preterm delivery. She isn’t due until sometime in March," Dr. Rama told The Times of India. Similarly, Dr. S.G. Mukkala, a Texas-based obstetrician, expressed concerns about the health risks of preterm births, warning couples about complications such as underdeveloped lungs, feeding difficulties, low birth weight, and neurological issues. Despite these risks, he noted he had spoken to around 20 couples in just two days, all determined to deliver before the February 20 deadline.
This urgency stems not only from the desire to secure U.S. citizenship for their children but also from the long-term benefits such citizenship could provide to parents. Under U.S. immigration law, children born in the U.S. can sponsor their parents for permanent residency once they turn 21. For many couples facing long and uncertain waits for Green Cards—some of which can extend decades due to backlogs—this has been a critical path to stability.
Social media platforms like Reddit have become forums for debate, with users expressing both sympathy and criticism. While some understand the parents' desperation, others have criticized the risks involved in preterm deliveries or questioned the broader implications of relying on birthright citizenship for immigration stability. One user commented, "Obviously, the doctors will say if it's safe or not. That’s not terrible parenting." Others highlighted the grim realities of the immigration process. "The American dream is a scam. It can take 40-50 years to get citizenship if you’re on the wrong visa pathway," wrote another.
The backlog for employment-based Green Cards, particularly for Indian applicants, has only exacerbated the crisis. According to some estimates, the waiting time for certain visa categories now stretches over a century. For families who have already sacrificed years to build a life in the U.S., the loss of birthright citizenship feels like another door closing. Priya, an expectant mother due in March, told TOI, "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."
Illegal immigrants face an even bleaker reality. A man based in California, who has lived in the U.S. for eight years after entering illegally, shared his heartbreak. "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," he said, as he and his wife, seven months pregnant, grapple with the implications of the policy change.
The situation has prompted some to consider leaving the U.S. entirely. Social media is rife with advice for Indian families to return to India or explore other countries with more favorable immigration policies. "Come back to India or relocate to another country," urged one Reddit user. For many, however, the decision to uproot their lives is fraught with difficulty and uncertainty.
The broader implications of Trump’s policy change have reignited debates about the American Dream and its accessibility. Birthright citizenship, a principle enshrined in the 14th Amendment, has long been a cornerstone of American identity, offering a pathway to integration and upward mobility for immigrants. Its removal represents a seismic shift in U.S. immigration policy, one that disproportionately impacts communities like Indian professionals on temporary visas. For these families, the February 20 deadline is more than just a date—it is a symbol of lost opportunities and uncertain futures.
As the clock ticks down, maternity clinics are bracing for a surge of preterm deliveries, while families navigate the difficult balance between health risks and the promise of citizenship. The American Dream, once seen as a beacon of hope, is now being tested in unprecedented ways, leaving countless families grappling with difficult choices and an uncertain future.
