The Trump administration has reportedly halted the processing of Green Cards for certain applicants, including approved refugees, as part of the president’s broader effort to tighten immigration policies.
According to a news report, requests for legal permanent residency from individuals who have been granted asylum or refugee status have been put on hold. This decision could have four significant implications for Indian immigrants.
First, Indian nationals already face some of the longest Green Card backlogs due to per-country limits. Many Indian professionals on H-1B visas are waiting for their Green Cards, and any further delays could result in their work permits expiring—potentially leading to job losses and deportation risks.
Laura Collins, director of the Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative, emphasized that those affected have already undergone government screening and do not require additional delays.
Second, employment-based Green Card applicants, some of whom already face decades-long waits, could see their timelines extended even further, as highlighted by the Cato Institute.
Third, Indian immigrants sponsoring family members for residency may experience prolonged family separations due to the processing freeze.
Lastly, the overall Green Card suspension will have widespread effects on Indians applying for permanent residency. With more than 2.9 million immigrants in the U.S. as of 2023, the Indian community is expected to bear the brunt of the legal uncertainties caused by this move.
Notably, more than 51,000 Indian nationals applied for asylum in the U.S. in 2023—an unprecedented rise compared to previous years. Research from Johns Hopkins University shows that the number of Indian asylum seekers surged from 9,000 in 2018 to 51,000 in 2023, marking a 466% increase in just five years.
The Trump administration has reportedly halted the processing of Green Cards for certain applicants, including approved refugees, as part of the president’s broader efforts to tighten immigration policies. This move is expected to have far-reaching consequences, particularly for Indian nationals who are already grappling with extensive backlogs in the U.S. immigration system.
