What does the executive order say

* At least one parent must be a US citizen

* A legal permanent resident (green card holder)

* Or a member of the US military

metro india news  I hyderabad

For lakhs of Indians residing in the USA, Trump’s executive order on the end of birthright citizenship would affect in more ways than one. It declares that babies born in US once the order kicks in wouldn’t be recognized by the federal government as citizens if the father isn’t a US citizen or lawful permanent resident and the mother is in the country illegally or is lawfully present on a temporary student, work or tourist visa.

It will impact children born in the US to H-1B visa holders, Green Card holders (lawful permanent residents), temporary visa holders such as those on student or visitor visas, and undocumented immigrants. The immediate fallout, say experts would be of Indians seeking opportunities outside US.

The change, set to take effect in 30 days, targets automatic citizenship for children of parents unlawfully or temporarily residing in the country.  The executive order effectively revokes the automatic citizenship granted to children born to parents who are on temporary work visas (like H-1B) or those awaiting green cards.

As of 2024, the US had a population of over 5.4 million Indian Americans, accounting for 1.47% of the nation's population. Approximately two-thirds are immigrants, while 34% are US-born, according to official data. 

Also, reports explain that babies born before the effective date of the order will retain their US citizenship as the order is not retroactive. Under birthright citizenship, anyone born on American soil is automatically granted US citizenship, regardless of the citizenship or immigration status of the parents.

This provision was enacted in 1868 and was designed to extend citizenship to all persons born in the US. The new order would deny US citizenship, including passports, to those children born in the US starting 30 days from now, if at least one parent isn’t an American citizen.