US, India Face Citizenship Challenges Amid Policy Changes

A recent panel at UC Irvine discussed President Trump's executive order aiming to revoke birthright citizenship, which has been temporarily blocked by a judge. Panelists highlighted that the order would impact the citizenship of children born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants, effectively altering immigration law and diminishing family inclusion. This discussion coincides with reports of Indian couples requesting cesarean sections to ensure their babies are born before the order's implementation date, reflecting anxiety over potential citizenship loss. Meanwhile, a flight deporting 104 undocumented Indian migrants has raised awareness of the challenges faced by Indians seeking U.S. citizenship through legal pathways. The contrasting citizenship policies in the U.S. and India also draw parallels, as both seek to redefine citizenship criteria, often to the detriment of marginalized groups. Critics argue these changes reflect a broader trend of creating conditional citizenship based on national origin or immigration status.