Indian couples in the US rush for c-sections ahead of birthright citizenship deadline

Indian couples in the United States are racing against time to ensure their children are born before February 20, following an executive order from new President Donald Trump to end birthright citizenship.

Many are requesting preterm C-sections, prompting concerns from medical professionals about the risks involved.

Under Trump's executive order, children born to non-citizen parents after February 19 will no longer qualify for automatic US citizenship. For Indian families, many of whom are on temporary H-1B or L1 visas and waiting for Green Cards, this has caused a surge in demand for preterm deliveries.

Doctors report receiving multiple requests for early C-sections, even from women only seven months into their pregnancies. According to Dr. S.D. Rama, a New Jersey-based gynecologist, some women due in March have sought preterm delivery, citing the looming deadline.

Medical professionals are alarmed by the health risks associated with preterm deliveries. Dr. S.G. Mukkala, an obstetrician in Texas, has spoken to over 20 couples in recent days, advising them of potential complications, including underdeveloped lungs, feeding issues, low birth weight, and neurological challenges.

“I understand their fears, but a preterm birth carries significant risks for both the mother and child,” he told The Times of India.

For many Indian couples, the policy change is devastating, as they had hoped their children’s US citizenship could provide a pathway to stability. Once children reach the age of 21, they can sponsor their parents for residency, a key consideration for families navigating the lengthy Green Card backlog.

Priya, an expectant mother due in March, shared her anxiety. “We’ve been waiting for our Green Cards for six years. This was our only hope for a secure future, and now we’re terrified,” she said.

A finance professional and soon-to-be father echoed these sentiments: “We sacrificed so much to be here. It feels like the door is closing on us.”

The new policy is even more devastating for undocumented immigrants. A California-based man, who has lived in the US for eight years after entering illegally, expressed despair. “We hoped our child’s birth could grant us stability, but now we don’t know what to do,” he said.

On platforms like Reddit, opinions are divided. Some sympathise with the parents, noting that doctors would not perform unsafe procedures. Others question the pursuit of the American Dream, citing long wait times for Green Cards and the diminishing benefits of citizenship.

“Come back to India or relocate elsewhere,” one commenter suggested.