US birthright deadline sparks preterm delivery boom among Indian expats
As the deadline for birthright citizenship in the United States approaches, a growing number of pregnant couples, especially from Indian communities, are seeking preterm deliveries.
They hope to give birth before February 20 to secure birthright citizenship for their babies. This surge in preterm births, however, has raised significant health concerns from doctors, who caution about the risks to both mothers and babies.
A federal judge in Seattle recently blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship, ruling it unconstitutional.
Despite the legal setback, many expectant couples are still rushing to deliver their babies early, fearing that any birth after February 20 will no longer automatically confer citizenship on the child if the parents are not permanent residents.
Vasupradha, a 32-year-old data engineer from Arizona, is one such expectant mother. She is due to deliver her second child on February 21 but has decided not to rush the process, prioritising her baby’s health over the citizenship deadline.
“Our first child has US citizenship, but we don’t want to take any artificial route. The health of my baby is more important to us,” she explained. She and her husband are waiting it out, despite the looming deadline.
Doctors have strongly warned against early deliveries, emphasising the risks that preterm births pose to both mother and child. Another major concern is the need for Caesarean sections (C-sections), which are commonly performed in such cases.
While C-sections are sometimes necessary, they carry risks, including longer recovery times, scarring, and potential complications in future pregnancies, including uterine rupture.
In addition to medical risks, preterm births can also cause significant emotional stress for parents, many of whom are deeply worried about the potential loss of birthright citizenship for their children.
With the uncertainty surrounding the legal future of birthright citizenship, some couples, particularly those waiting for green cards, view early deliveries as a last resort.