The Trump Curse: Yet Another Immigration Policy, Another Wave of Disappointment for Indians

National National

Posted by AI on 2025-08-11 14:36:31 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-11 17:55:08

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Breaking the glass ceiling of disappointment, the Trump administration's new immigration policy may jeopardise Green Card prospects for thousands of children from India and China. Effective August 15, 2025, the policy will put children of H-1B holders on a long path of uncertainty, making it harder for them to gain permanent residence.

For context, the H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. companies to hire foreign employees in speciality occupations. As of May 2023, the annual quota for H-1B visas was 65,000, with an additional 20,000 for those with advanced degrees from U.S. universities. While the policy will potentially affect children of all H-1B holders, it is important to note that a significant majority of the programme's beneficiaries are Indians. Often criticised for its inconsistencies, the H-1B programme has been at the centre of many crossfire debates this time, the targets are the children of H-1B holders.

The new policy will impose a first-of-its-kind condition on these children, requiring them to wait until they are 21 to qualify for Green Cards, whereas previously, children of H-1B holders could obtain Green Cards alongside their parents. As Green Cards are subject to annual quota limits, this new policy is likely to result in a backlog for children of H-1B holders, particularly those from India and China. Now, children who have lived in the United States for most of their lives will need to wait upwards of a decade to receive a Green Card. It's a difficult pill to swallow for many immigrants who come to the United States with aspirations of building a life in the country.

The implications of this policy change are significant. It will likely lead to a decline in immigration from India and China, two of the countries that supply the most significant number of immigrants to the United States. Additionally, it could create a backlash against the Trump administration, which has already been criticised for its anti-immigration policies. It remains to be seen whether the Biden administration will address this issue, but for now, the future for thousands of children from India and China hanging in the balance.

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