With President Donald Trump’s executive order targeting the termination of birthright citizenship as part of his stringent anti-immigration agenda, many expectant Indian parents in the U.S. are opting for preterm C-sections to ensure their babies are born before the February 20 deadline.
According to the Times of India, most women choosing C-sections are in their eighth or ninth month of pregnancy, although some are still several weeks away from reaching full term.
Dr. SD Rama, a maternity clinic professional in New Jersey, shared that she has received numerous requests for preterm deliveries. “A woman, seven months pregnant, came with her husband to arrange for an early delivery. She’s due in March,” she told the Times of India.
The urgency to deliver before the birthright citizenship deadline is widespread, as babies born after February 20 to non-permanent residents will no longer automatically be granted citizenship. The move to end automatic birthright citizenship marks a significant shift in immigration policy, potentially impacting millions of Indians living in the U.S. on temporary visas.
Birthright citizenship is the legal principle that grants automatic citizenship to children born in a country, regardless of their parents’ nationality or immigration status.
Dr. SG Mukkala, an obstetrician in Texas, cautioned couples about the risks associated with preterm births, including underdeveloped lungs, feeding difficulties, low birth weight, and potential neurological complications.
“I am trying to inform couples that while it may be possible, a preterm birth carries significant risks for both the mother and child. These risks include underdeveloped lungs, feeding issues, low birth weight, neurological complications, and more. Over the past two days, I’ve spoken with 15 to 20 couples about this,” Dr. Mukkala was quoted as saying.
With green card wait times stretching beyond a century, birthright citizenship has acted as a crucial safety net for many expectant couples, particularly Indians working in the U.S.
A 28-year-old finance professional, quoted in the report, shared that his plans would be severely impacted if his dependent wife gave birth after the deadline.
“We’ve sacrificed so much to come here. Now, it feels like the door is closing on us,” said the H-1B visa holder, who is still a few months away from becoming a parent.
