Indian parents in the U.S. scramble for early deliveries as Birthright Citizenship deadline looms

As the February 19 deadline for President Donald Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship approaches, panic has gripped Indian parents in the United States. Many are rushing to schedule preterm C-sections in a bid to secure American citizenship for their unborn children before the new rules take effect.

On his first day as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump signed an executive order that ends the automatic grant of citizenship to children born on U.S. soil, a right previously protected under the 14th Amendment. This controversial move challenges the long-held interpretation of the amendment, which excludes only children of foreign diplomats from this right. The new order will also apply to children born to legal but temporary residents, such as those on H-1B, L1, student, or tourist visas, starting February 19.

The decision has sparked widespread concern among Indian parents holding work visas, many of whom are in the lengthy queue for Green Cards. For some, their child’s U.S. citizenship represented a pathway to securing stability and residency for their family.

Priya, an expectant mother originally due in March, shared her fears with The Times of India: “We’ve been waiting for our Green Cards for six years. We were counting on our child being born here to secure a future for our family. This uncertainty is terrifying.”

Maternity clinics and obstetricians are now facing a surge in requests for early deliveries. Dr. SG Mukkala, an obstetrician in Texas, cautioned parents about the risks of preterm births. “A preterm birth poses significant risks, including underdeveloped lungs, feeding difficulties, low birth weight, and neurological complications. I’ve had to counsel 15 to 20 couples in just the past two days about these dangers,” she said.

Dr. SD Rama, based in New Jersey, echoed these concerns, noting an unusual spike in inquiries. “Just yesterday, a couple came in asking for a preterm delivery. The woman is only seven months pregnant and not due until March,” she revealed.

This frantic rush has highlighted the desperation among immigrant families as they navigate an uncertain future under the looming policy changes. While doctors continue to warn of the medical risks associated with preterm deliveries, many parents feel they have no choice but to take the gamble for the sake of their children’s citizenship and their family’s future.