Thousands of immigrant parents concerned about Trump's decision on birthright citizenship

If Trump's executive order is implemented, it will also affect undocumented immigrants in the United States.

The children of these undocumented immigrants automatically acquired citizenship by birth after being born in the United States. When they turned 21, they could also sponsor their parents to apply for a green card.

Incidentally, a Pew Research analysis says that as of 2022, there were 725,000 undocumented Indian immigrants in the United States, making them the third largest group of undocumented immigrants in the United States. On the other hand, the Migration Policy Institute's analysis says that this number is 375,000 and India is fifth in the list of undocumented immigrants. Three percent of the US population is undocumented immigrants. They make up 22 percent of the population born in another country who came to the United States.

The main concern of Indians on H-1B or 'O' visas is the quality of life of their children.

Those on this visa category have to leave the United States periodically to get their visa stamped at a U.S. embassy abroad. Those who need to come to India for a specific time for a visa stamp often face delays in getting an appointment.

Immigrants who have gone through this experience do not want their children born on U.S. soil to have to go through the same bureaucratic process.

Akshay Pise, who has been waiting in line for several years as a green card applicant, knows how much easier US citizenship can make life.

“We have been here for over 10 years. My parents are getting older, so it is very important for me to have my citizenship. It is difficult for us to travel and manage everything for visa stamping. This time, it may become even more difficult if our child is born.”

Many doctors in the United States have opposed Trump’s decision, citing the role of skilled foreign workers in providing essential services.

Dr. "Indian doctors play a very important role in rural areas like North and South Dakota. Without them, the healthcare system would collapse. Now they are the ones who are hesitant to start their own families," Kathula said.

He requested that the process of getting a green card be further expedited. He also requested that the children of those working in the US on H-1B visas be given citizenship by birth based on the contributions of their parents.

Donald Trump's decision has further increased anxiety among Indians coming on work visas and student visas. They were already aware of their legal uncertainty. They had only one 'guarantee' - the citizenship of their children born in the US. But now doubts have arisen about that too.

Priyadarshini Jaju, a resident of San Jose, is also worried about this. She is going to become a mother in April.

In her words, "Do we have to contact the Indian consulate for a passport? Which visa will be valid? There is no information about this online."

"This uncertainty has become an added worry," says Neha Satpute, counting down the days until her baby's arrival.

"Pregnancy is stressful enough," she says. "We thought it would be easier after a decade. But this has surpassed everything!"

"As legal immigrants and taxpayers, our child deserves American citizenship - that's the law, right?" says her husband, Akshay Pease.