Washington, D.C., Jan 25, (V7N) - U.S. President Donald Trump has issued an order to revoke birthright citizenship upon taking office, causing Indian-origin women to rush to U.S. hospitals to give birth before the new rule takes effect.
 
According to a report by India Today on Thursday, January 23, doctors at various U.S. hospitals have indicated that the order to end birthright citizenship might be enforced as early as February 20. To avoid being affected by this change, Indian women are opting for C-sections and booking appointments well in advance at hospitals.
 
On January 20, Trump was sworn in for a second term as President of the United States. In his inauguration speech, he promised to take strict action against illegal immigrants, stating that illegal border crossings would be stopped and calling undocumented immigrants "criminals."
 
Soon after, he signed an executive order to change the existing laws surrounding birthright citizenship. Under the new rule, children born to undocumented immigrants in the U.S. will no longer automatically receive American citizenship.
 
Trump instructed federal agencies to ensure that children born to undocumented immigrants or individuals on temporary visas would not be issued U.S. citizenship documents.
 
In response to this move, 22 states, along with the District of Columbia and the city of San Francisco, filed a lawsuit in a federal court in Boston on January 21. The lawsuit argues that revoking birthright citizenship is a severe violation of the U.S. Constitution.
 
The lawsuit further states that while the President has the power to create immigration laws, revoking birthright citizenship exceeds his legal authority.
 
Prior to this, the American Civil Liberties Union, several immigrant rights organizations, and a pregnant woman filed similar lawsuits. These cases are now seen as Trump’s first major legal challenge after being sworn in for his second term.
 
New Jersey’s Attorney General Matthew Platkin stated that the state is preparing legal action against Trump’s unlawful actions, sending a clear message that they will stand up for the rights of residents and their constitutional freedoms.
 
The American Civil Liberties Union, in response to Trump’s executive order, said that denying citizenship to children born in the U.S. is not only unconstitutional but also a rejection of American values. The White House has not yet responded to these statements.
 
In the coming days, other Democratic-controlled states and advocacy groups are expected to file lawsuits against more of Trump’s executive orders. Some lawsuits have already been filed against orders related to government efficiency and the job security of federal workers, led by billionaire Elon Musk.
 
It is still unclear how Trump intends to enforce the new birthright citizenship rules, as birthright citizenship is a constitutional right in the U.S. To end this right, Trump would need support from two-thirds of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
 
END/WD/SMA/