10.7 lakh Indians could face ‘lifetime of waiting’

In the report titled, “Why Legal Immigration Is Impossible for Nearly Everyone,” Bier says, “Contrary to public perception, immigrants cannot simply wait and get a green card (permanent residence) after a few years. Legal immigration is less like waiting in line and more like winning the lottery: it happens, but it is so rare that it is irrational to expect it in any individual case,”

If the data is analysed, more than half of the backlog is in the EB-2 category for employees with advanced degrees working for US businesses. Another 19 per cent are in the EB-3 category for employees with at least bachelor’s degrees.

Complicating matters further is the situation of dependent children who, upon turning 21, become ineligible to continue with their H-4 visas, linked to their parents’ H-1B work visas. This leaves them in a precarious position, often referred to as ‘documented dreamers,’ as they must seek alternative routes.

One such alternative is getting an F-1 visa for international students, but this comes with challenges like limited work opportunities while studying and higher fees. For some, the only option left is self-deportation to India or another country, despite having grown up in the United States and having little or no connection to their home country.

This policy disproportionately affects Indian nationals, particularly those holding H-1B visas, who form a significant portion of skilled immigrants in the United States. Proposals for immigration reform have not been enacted into law, worsening the situation. This has made getting a Green Card almost impossible for many people.