Feb 6, 2025
INDIA EDITION
Trump’s Second Act Begins
Trump’s Second Act Begins
After trumps swearing in, his executive orders have stirred the world, U.S. withdraws from WHO, Bans LGBTQ genders, citizenship rights.
After trumps swearing in, his executive orders have stirred the world, U.S. withdraws from WHO, Bans LGBTQ genders, citizenship rights.
World
World
Written By
Written By
Sanvi Agarwal
Sanvi Agarwal
Published
Published
Jan 23, 2025
Jan 23, 2025
On January 20th, following his swearing-in, President Trump signed a series of executive orders that quickly sparked criticism and skepticism. Known for his controversial opinions and impulsive decision-making, Trump made seven contentious executive decisions on the very first day of his second term. While these actions shocked some, they were not entirely unexpected. Measures like the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization, overturning LGBTQ protections, and pardoning individuals involved in the U.S. Capitol riots showcased his commitment to making bold, divisive moves.
The World Health Organization, a UN-led agency, has been in the spotlight before, but never with this level of controversy. While the WHO expressed regret over the U.S. decision to leave, the U.S. government justified it by blaming the organization’s late response to the global COVID-19 crisis. President Trump argued that actions should have been taken against China, where the virus is widely believed to have originated. He also mentioned that, despite its large population, China pays significantly less in funding to the WHO compared to the United States. This unfair financial burden, according to Trump, was another key reason for the withdrawal. Although some may find these reasons valid, Trump's troubled relationship with China is nothing new.
During his election campaign, he imposed up to a 60% tariff on Chinese goods, accusing the country of unfair trade practices. However, instead of hurting China’s economy, these actions seemed to boost its trade performance—an outcome opposite to what Trump had intended. Nevertheless, the U.S. government plans to impose an additional 10% tariff starting February 1, signaling Trump’s ongoing hard stance against China.
But China is not the only country Trump is targeting. As part of his controversial immigration agenda, Trump has pledged to end birthright citizenship—a move that intensifies the dilemma for immigrants, both legal and undocumented. This sweeping decision creates significant uncertainty for millions of people on temporary visa status, including nearly 5 million Indians living and working in the U.S. under various visa categories. The executive order, officially titled "Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship," applies to children born on or after February 19, 2025, whose parents are non-citizens, including those on temporary work or student visas. On the legal front, the policy has already faced significant backlash. Civil rights groups and immigration advocates have filed lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the order, arguing that it violates the Citizenship Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
For many Indian families aspiring to live the "American dream," this policy is a significant setback, as it denies citizenship to children who would otherwise have been granted it by birthright. The policy could also lead to a decline in the number of Indian professionals and students seeking opportunities in the U.S., due to increased uncertainty about their long-term prospects.
However, this decision might have unintended benefits for India. By deterring emigration, India could retain a larger share of its highly skilled workforce, including professionals in technology, healthcare, and engineering. This could align with government initiatives like “Digital India” and “Startup India,” which aim to harness local talent to drive innovation and economic growth. With fewer professionals emigrating, India might also see reduced brain drain and increased participation in the domestic economy.
For now, Indian nationals in the U.S. and those considering a move must carefully weigh their options and stay informed about evolving immigration laws. While this decision presents immediate challenges, it could also prompt India to rethink its global position and strengthen its domestic policies to retain talent and attract investment.
On January 20th, following his swearing-in, President Trump signed a series of executive orders that quickly sparked criticism and skepticism. Known for his controversial opinions and impulsive decision-making, Trump made seven contentious executive decisions on the very first day of his second term. While these actions shocked some, they were not entirely unexpected. Measures like the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization, overturning LGBTQ protections, and pardoning individuals involved in the U.S. Capitol riots showcased his commitment to making bold, divisive moves.
The World Health Organization, a UN-led agency, has been in the spotlight before, but never with this level of controversy. While the WHO expressed regret over the U.S. decision to leave, the U.S. government justified it by blaming the organization’s late response to the global COVID-19 crisis. President Trump argued that actions should have been taken against China, where the virus is widely believed to have originated. He also mentioned that, despite its large population, China pays significantly less in funding to the WHO compared to the United States. This unfair financial burden, according to Trump, was another key reason for the withdrawal. Although some may find these reasons valid, Trump's troubled relationship with China is nothing new.
During his election campaign, he imposed up to a 60% tariff on Chinese goods, accusing the country of unfair trade practices. However, instead of hurting China’s economy, these actions seemed to boost its trade performance—an outcome opposite to what Trump had intended. Nevertheless, the U.S. government plans to impose an additional 10% tariff starting February 1, signaling Trump’s ongoing hard stance against China.
But China is not the only country Trump is targeting. As part of his controversial immigration agenda, Trump has pledged to end birthright citizenship—a move that intensifies the dilemma for immigrants, both legal and undocumented. This sweeping decision creates significant uncertainty for millions of people on temporary visa status, including nearly 5 million Indians living and working in the U.S. under various visa categories. The executive order, officially titled "Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship," applies to children born on or after February 19, 2025, whose parents are non-citizens, including those on temporary work or student visas. On the legal front, the policy has already faced significant backlash. Civil rights groups and immigration advocates have filed lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the order, arguing that it violates the Citizenship Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
For many Indian families aspiring to live the "American dream," this policy is a significant setback, as it denies citizenship to children who would otherwise have been granted it by birthright. The policy could also lead to a decline in the number of Indian professionals and students seeking opportunities in the U.S., due to increased uncertainty about their long-term prospects.
However, this decision might have unintended benefits for India. By deterring emigration, India could retain a larger share of its highly skilled workforce, including professionals in technology, healthcare, and engineering. This could align with government initiatives like “Digital India” and “Startup India,” which aim to harness local talent to drive innovation and economic growth. With fewer professionals emigrating, India might also see reduced brain drain and increased participation in the domestic economy.
For now, Indian nationals in the U.S. and those considering a move must carefully weigh their options and stay informed about evolving immigration laws. While this decision presents immediate challenges, it could also prompt India to rethink its global position and strengthen its domestic policies to retain talent and attract investment.
INDIA EDITION
Thursday, February 6, 2025