The revocation of birthright citizenship by Donald Trump poses significant challenges for H1-B visa-holding Indian families in the US. The policy has ignited intense online and offline debates among the Indian community in the US.
As Trump signed the executive order to do away with birthright citizenship on Monday, the future of millions of H1-B visa-holding Indians now hangs in limbo.
The internet is replete with heated discussions with several netizens taking a dig at the andh bhakts (blind fans) `who do pujas and havans for Trump.'
A social media user highlighted that this new law will change everything for the Indians in America. “Indians on H-1B visas already face uncertainty about US citizenship, but they relied on birthright citizenship for their children. With Trump revoking that, even this assurance is gone — andh bhakts who do puja, hawan for Trump never understand gravity of this decision,” the social media user wrote on the micro-blogging platform, X.
According to the new order, a child born in the United States will not be granted American citizenship automatically unless at least one parent is a US citizen or a green card holder.
It also stops federal agencies from issuing or recognising relevant documentation proving US citizenship for such children. The order targets children born to both unauthorised immigrants and people who are legally in the US on temporary visas.
Trump's order will mostly affect H-1 B-holding Indians currently waiting for green cards. Without automatic citizenship, the children of H1-B visa-holding Indians may lose access to in-state tuition, scholarships, and federal aid, potentially forcing many to abandon their college dreams.
Here's how netizens reacted:
--“If Trump actually removes birthright citizenship, they are just going to start rounding up brown people and figuring out if they are citizens later.”
--“Those who were doing Pooja can’t even afford a flight ticket to USA. Let those NRIs enjoy now.”
--“It is clear that you hate brown people, and support tax increases via tariffs that will be shouldered by the lower and middle class.”
--“Did you know? Trump’s ex-wife Ivana wasn’t an American citizen until 1988. She gave birth to Don Junior in 1977, Ivanka in 1981, and Eric in 1984. Let’s cancel their birthright citizenship first.” .
--“Let all those NRI bhakts return to Indian shores and enjoy achhe din and Vishwaguru ka international danka.”
--"He’s just helping Indians remain in India so that they can make us Vishwaguru."
(By arrangement with livemint.com)