USA (Commonwealth Union)_ As the deadline approaches for President Donald Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship, healthcare facilities across the United States are witnessing an alarming surge in requests for preterm cesarean sections. The controversial order, which could significantly affect the citizenship status of babies born to certain immigrant parents, has led to a growing number of Indian-American couples seeking to deliver their babies early to ensure US citizenship for their newborns. Signed on Inauguration Day, Trump’s order is slated to take effect on February 19, 2025, and has raised concerns across various communities, especially among those with temporary visas.
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According to the new rule, children born to mothers who are in the US without legal immigration status, or those here on temporary visas like H1-B, will no longer automatically be granted US citizenship. The order also excludes children born to fathers who are neither US citizens nor lawful permanent residents. As this deadline draws near, reports indicate that hospitals and clinics, particularly in metropolitan areas, are experiencing an uptick in requests from expectant mothers, many of whom are only several weeks from their due dates. These women, mostly in their eighth or ninth month of pregnancy, are reportedly asking their doctors to schedule cesarean deliveries ahead of February 20, in an effort to secure birthright citizenship for their children before the order takes effect.
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While the motives behind this rush are clear, medical professionals are warning against such decisions, stressing the significant risks involved in pre-term deliveries. Leading cardiologist Dr. Avinash Gupta, based in New Jersey, has called such actions unethical and potentially harmful. Dr. Gupta explained that performing elective C-sections for the sole purpose of meeting the citizenship deadline could jeopardize both the mother’s and the child’s health. Dr. Gupta stated, “If somebody is waiting for an elective cesarean section, then the date can be adjusted by a few days, but not when they are seven or eight months pregnant”. He added, “Pre-term delivery is not healthy for either the mother or the child. The infant may end up in the neonatal intensive care unit, and that’s a risk no responsible doctor would take.”
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Dr. Gupta, along with other experts, emphasized that such a procedure could also be considered malpractice, with legal ramifications that could hold physicians liable until the child reaches adulthood. “If there is an injury in some way to the child, it could result in a penalty of millions of dollars,” he added, reinforcing the dangers of rushing medical procedures for non-medical reasons. Moreover, the situation has also sparked outrage on social media, with many criticizing the trend. One user expressed concern over the “selfish opportunism” behind such actions, while another described it as “foolish.” These reactions echo the growing public disapproval of seeking citizenship through means perceived as manipulative, rather than based on the principles of responsible parenthood.
Furthermore, the heightened anxiety surrounding Trump’s executive order has also contributed to widespread discussions about the ethical implications of bypassing the established laws for personal or political gain. Legal challenges to the executive order have already been filed in several states, including a major case in Seattle, where a federal judge will hear arguments this week on whether the order should be blocked. If upheld, the rule could potentially impact hundreds of thousands of children born to immigrants on temporary work or student visas, as well as those whose parents are not permanent residents. Despite the impending legal battles, Dr. Gupta remains firm in his stance that expectant mothers should focus on the health of both themselves and their children rather than on manipulating citizenship laws. “It is not advisable to rush into early deliveries,” he stressed. “Expectant mothers should listen to their obstetricians, who will always prioritize the well-being of both the mother and the baby.”
With the future of Trump’s executive order uncertain and lawsuits continuing to unfold, medical experts urge caution. Dr. Gupta suggested that, in the case of families on temporary work visas such as H1-B holders, the order might not even apply if it is ultimately enforced. “For people who are here legally, like H1-B visa holders, I don’t think it will apply to them,” he noted. As the birthright citizenship deadline looms, the healthcare system must balance the demands of expectant mothers with their ethical obligations, while keeping the health of both mother and child at the forefront of medical decision-making.
