There’s a growing rush among Indian couples in the U.S. to schedule C-sections ahead of a critical February 20 deadline, following President Donald Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship. Indian-origin doctors report an influx of requests, with one gynecologist revealing he has received calls from around 20 couples in just a few days.

Under this policy, children born in the U.S. on or before February 19 will retain birthright citizenship. However, from February 20 onwards, children born to non-citizen parents, including those on temporary H-1B and L1 visas, will no longer automatically qualify for U.S. citizenship. This change has sparked a wave of urgency among tens of thousands of Indians in the U.S., many of whom are on temporary work visas and awaiting permanent residency through Green Cards.

Dr., who runs a maternity clinic in New Jersey, described a surge in inquiries from women in their eighth and ninth months of pregnancy, some even months away from full term. “A seven-months-pregnant woman and her husband came in to sign up for a preterm delivery, even though she isn’t due until March,” he told a media.

This race against the clock is fueled not just by the desire for citizenship but also by long-term benefits. U.S.-born children can sponsor their parents for residency once they turn 21, offering families a potential path to stability in a country where the Green Card backlog has stretched to decades for Indian applicants.

Despite the demand, doctors are expressing concerns about the risks of preterm deliveries. An obstetrician and gynecologist in Texas, has been advising couples against unnecessary preterm births, warning about complications such as underdeveloped lungs, low birth weight, feeding issues, and neurological challenges. "Even if it’s possible, a preterm birth poses significant risks to both mother and child," he explained.

While many on social media platforms like Reddit empathized with the parents' urgency, some pointed out the broader challenges of chasing the American Dream. One user highlighted the massive delays in the Green Card process: "Right now, they are processing applications from 2012 for Indians. It can take decades to achieve citizenship—45 years old by the time it’s done. Know what you’re signing up for."

Others have suggested Indians return to their home country or explore other options. "Come back to India or relocate to another country," one Reddit user commented.

For many, however, this policy change has left them feeling uncertain and desperate. Priya, an expectant mother due in March, expressed her fears: "We’ve been waiting for Green Cards for six years. This was our only hope for stability. Now, we’re terrified of what lies ahead."

The situation is even more dire for undocumented immigrants. One California-based man, who entered the U.S. illegally eight years ago, shared his heartbreak: “We thought our child would secure us citizenship. Now, we don’t know what to do.”

As the February 20 deadline looms, the debate over birthright citizenship has become a new test for the American Dream. For many Indian families, the race for a timely delivery represents their last hope to secure a future for their children in the U.S.