For Indian immigrants, the current US immigration system presents formidable hurdles. With restrictive limits and long delays, the American Dream remains a distant reality for many, despite their skills and aspirations to contribute to the nation’s workforce
The pursuit of the “American Dream” often involves a lengthy and uncertain process for Indian immigrants, particularly those navigating the complex US green card system. Recent online discussions among leaders in the tech industry have highlighted ongoing frustrations with immigration delays and restrictions, sparking renewed debate on this pressing issue, reported business-standard.com.
Rohit Krishnan, Chief Product Officer at Bodo.ai, recently voiced his concerns on social media about the challenges Indian professionals face when seeking to immigrate to the United States. “The immigration dialogue often overlooks the sheer difficulty of actually immigrating to this country,” Krishnan noted in a post on X (formerly Twitter). His comments quickly gained traction, resonating with many who have experienced similar hardships.
Aravind Srinivas, Co-founder and CEO of Perplexity AI, responded to Krishnan, sharing that he has already spent three years waiting for his green card. “People have no idea about the unpredictability involved in immigration,” he added, emphasizing the frustration that highly skilled professionals endure as they wait for their chance at permanent residency.
The discussion drew the attention of Elon Musk, who criticized the Biden administration’s approach to immigration, pointing out a perceived contradiction in the US system. “We have a system that makes it hard for highly talented people to come to America legally, but trivial for criminals to come here illegally,” Musk posted. He further suggested that Donald Trump might resolve the issue if re-elected, adding fuel to the ongoing debate around US immigration policy.
Ajay Sharma, a policy analyst, underscored the hardships of this process, explaining that the US can issue only 675,000 green cards annually. “Some people are waiting half a century, and it demands immense patience and resilience,” he told Business Standard
Data from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reveals that over a million Indians are currently waiting for green cards, with some facing delays as long as 50 years due to annual caps and per-country limitations. In 2024, the US allocated just 140,000 employment-based green cards despite a far higher demand, leaving many qualified professionals in a state of indefinite uncertainty. This backlog affects not only applicants but also their families, postponing their opportunity for permanent residency and citizenship.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, approximately 12.9 million individuals currently hold green cards, with 9.2 million eligible for citizenship. Though the pandemic briefly slowed admissions, over a million green cards were issued last year, reflecting a resurgence in immigration.
The green card, or Permanent Resident Card, offers individuals the right to live and work in the US indefinitely and can eventually lead to citizenship. However, demand vastly exceeds supply; as of early 2024, around 34.7 million applicants are in line, with some facing prolonged, even indefinite waits. This bottleneck creates significant challenges, especially for H-1B visa holders, many of whom are skilled Indian professionals seeking stable futures in the US.
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