In a move that has sent shockwaves through immigrant communities, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order terminating birthright citizenship for children born on U.S. soil, regardless of their parents’ immigration status or visa type. The policy, slated to take effect 30 days after its issuance, has particularly unsettled Punjabi families who have long relied on this provision to secure American citizenship for their offspring.
For years, numerous families from Punjab have traveled to the United States with the intent of giving birth on American ground, thereby ensuring their children inherit U.S. citizenship. This practice, often referred to as “birth tourism,” has become a strategic avenue for parents seeking long-term benefits for their children, including access to education and job opportunities in the U.S.
Nitin Sharma, a resident of Punjab, exemplifies the dilemma faced by many. “I do not think it is advisable for any parent with this kind of plan to move to the US as things remain dicey,” Sharma stated. He recounted the experience of a friend in early 2020, whose plans were thwarted by the pandemic-induced flight cancellations. “The couple planned to obtain US citizenship for their second child. As they were set to leave, flights were cancelled in the wake of the pandemic. The baby had to be delivered here,” Sharma explained. Despite these challenges, Sharma successfully secured U.S. citizenship for his two sons, aged two and five, born in New York. “We had gone to the US to get birthright citizenship for my kids. If I spent lakhs on two deliveries in the US, I shall be able to save crores when my sons will study there in the next 15 years or so,” he added, expressing hope that the new order might encounter legal challenges.
Harpreet Kohli from Ludhiana shared a similar concern. “We have three kids. Only the youngest one is a US citizen. Had we known earlier that the US allowed birthright citizenship, we would have followed the same process for our two elder kids,” Kohli lamented. The uncertainty surrounding the policy change has left many families reevaluating their strategies and facing potential financial and emotional setbacks.
Legal experts predict that the executive order will ignite a series of legal battles, questioning the constitutionality and implementation of the policy. Historically, birthright citizenship has been a cornerstone of American immigration policy, enshrined in the 14th Amendment. However, the Trump administration has been pushing for stricter immigration controls, and this latest move aligns with those broader objectives.
Community leaders are calling for solidarity and support as families navigate this new landscape. “This policy not only affects individual families but also the fabric of our multicultural society,” remarked Jaspreet Kaur, a local activist. Efforts are underway to challenge the order in courts, and advocacy groups are mobilizing to protect the rights of immigrant families.
As the countdown begins to the order’s implementation, Punjabi families remain on edge, grappling with the immediate implications and the uncertain future of their American-born children. The coming months will likely see intense debates and legal maneuvers as stakeholders on both sides of the immigration issue clash over the fate of birthright citizenship in the United States.
