Individuals having expertise in science to management, find themselves grappling with potentially decades-long waits to attain permanent residency, also known as a green card
The United States’ immigration system is facing a monumental challenge, leaving over a million Indian nationals in a state of uncertainty and prolonged waiting periods for employment-based visas. Recent findings from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) highlight the severity of the issue, shedding light on the personal and professional turmoil endured by highly skilled Indian professionals and their families.
According to a report by Forbes, more than 1.2 million Indians, along with their dependents, are caught in the backlog across various employment-based green card categories. These individuals, contributing expertise in fields ranging from science to management, find themselves grappling with potentially decades-long waits to attain permanent residency, also known as a green card.
The backlog is divided across three primary employment-based preferences:
First Preference (EB-1): Over 143,000 Indians are awaiting processing, including dependents, under this category, which encompasses workers with extraordinary abilities, outstanding professors, researchers, and multinational executives or managers.
Second Preference (EB-2): A staggering backlog of nearly 839,000 Indians, inclusive of dependents, exists in this category, which caters to professionals with advanced degrees and individuals with exceptional abilities in various domains.
Third Preference (EB-3): Around 277,000 Indians, along with dependents, await their turn in the EB-3 category, which includes skilled workers and professionals requiring at least a bachelor’s degree for their jobs.
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As the backlog continues to mount, urgent action is imperative to mitigate its consequences and uphold the United States’ reputation as a land of opportunity and innovation
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Failure to address these challenges not only jeopardizes individual aspirations but also undermines America’s global standing as a beacon for talent and ambition
The backlog crisis is exacerbated by the annual limit on employment-based green cards, set at 140,000, and a per-country cap of 7%. These legislative constraints, established in 1990, disproportionately impact countries like India, China, and the Philippines due to their larger populations.
Despite efforts to address the issue legislatively, including proposed reforms to exempt highly educated immigrants from prolonged waits, significant hurdles remain. Senator Charles Grassley’s blocking of such exemptions in 2022, backed by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, dealt a blow to potential solutions, hindering America’s ability to attract and retain foreign-born talent crucial for its competitiveness and innovation.
The repercussions of these visa backlogs extend beyond professional realms, affecting individuals like Roshan Taroll, whose story exemplifies the human toll of the immigration system’s shortcomings. Roshan’s journey, from arriving in the US as a child to facing imminent departure due to visa constraints despite years of education and contribution to the workforce, underscores the system’s impact on lives and aspirations.
As the backlog continues to mount, urgent action is imperative to mitigate its consequences and uphold the United States’ reputation as a land of opportunity and innovation. Failure to address these challenges not only jeopardizes individual aspirations but also undermines America’s global standing as a beacon for talent and ambition.
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