Special Correspondent
Washington, D.C.:
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Indian-American community, former U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order ending the long-standing policy of birthright citizenship. This policy, which has been in place for over 150 years, automatically grants citizenship to children born on U.S. soil. The decision is expected to have significant consequences for millions of immigrants, particularly Indian-Americans.
Shortly after taking the oath of office for his second term, Trump reversed 78 decisions made by the Biden administration. Among these, the termination of birthright citizenship is one of the most impactful for the Indian-American community. According to the U.S. Census, over 4.8 million Indian-Americans currently reside in the United States, with many having obtained citizenship through birthright.
The executive order has sparked fear among Indian citizens on temporary work visas, such as the H-1B visa, or those awaiting green cards. Children born to these immigrants in the U.S. may now face legal uncertainty, as they will no longer be automatically granted citizenship.
A significant reason cited for the executive order is to curb “birth tourism,” a practice where foreign nationals travel to the U.S. to give birth, ensuring automatic citizenship for their child. Trump’s administration argued that this policy has been exploited, necessitating the change.
Under the new policy, children born in the U.S. to Indian parents on temporary visas such as F-1 (student visas) or other non-immigrant categories will not automatically acquire U.S. citizenship. This change is expected to create challenges for families, particularly for Indian students who stay in the U.S. after graduation and aspire to build their lives there.
The policy change will also have long-term implications for Indian families living in the U.S. on temporary visas or waiting for green cards. Many Indian immigrants face long backlogs in obtaining permanent residency, often waiting decades. Until now, children born in the U.S. automatically became citizens and could petition for their parents’ immigration status once they turned 21. With birthright citizenship removed, such avenues for family reunification will no longer be possible.
The decision has left Indian families in the U.S. grappling with uncertainty, as the fate of their children’s legal status now depends on future immigration laws. The end of birthright citizenship is likely to disproportionately impact Indian-Americans, who have long relied on this policy as a pathway to security and stability in the U.S.
