Washington: Indian professionals working in the United States on H-1B visas are facing growing uncertainty due to layoffs, slower hiring and increasing green card backlogs. Immigration experts say recent policy changes, stricter scrutiny and lengthy processing timelines are creating pressure on thousands of Indian families living in America.
Around 10000 Indian technology professionals in the United States are reportedly facing the risk of deportation after losing their jobs amid mass layoffs in the tech sector. Most of these workers are employed in the US on H-1B visas, which are directly linked to their jobs and sponsoring companies.
According to reports, workers who lose their jobs are given only a limited period to find another employer willing to sponsor their visa. If they fail to secure new employment within the allowed time, they may be forced to leave the country.
According to reports and immigration discussions in the US, applicants may increasingly face delays in green card processing and visa approvals. Experts say many workers fear that prolonged processing and changing immigration procedures could affect both employment continuity and long-term settlement plans.
Under existing US immigration rules, H-1B visa holders who lose their jobs generally receive a 60-day grace period to find another employer, transfer their visa or shift to another legal status. However, many professionals say companies are now taking several months to complete recruitment and sponsorship procedures.
Policy analysts claim that Indian applicants remain the most affected group in employment-based green card backlogs because of annual country-wise visa limits. Some immigration estimates suggest that nearly 63 percent of pending employment-based green card backlog cases involve Indian applicants.
Reports further indicate that waiting periods for new Indian applicants in certain categories may stretch between 10 and 15 years. Immigration specialists say this delay has become a major concern for skilled professionals planning permanent settlement in the US.
Recent immigration discussions have also focused on possible procedural changes requiring some applicants to complete parts of the green card process from their home country instead of adjusting status entirely from within the US. Experts say such measures could increase interview, security and document verification timelines.
Data discussed in immigration reports shows that green card issuances rose steadily between 2020 and 2024:
* 2020: Around 7.07 lakh green cards issued
* 2021: Around 7.40 lakh
* 2022: Around 10.18 lakh
* 2023: Around 11.72 lakh
* 2024: Around 13.60 lakh
Out of these, a large number were granted to applicants already residing in the United States, while others were issued through consular processing from home countries.
Reports also suggest that between 2014 and 2023, over 7 lakh Indians received green cards in the United States. However, demand for permanent residency among Indian professionals continues to rise rapidly, increasing the backlog burden further.
Immigration experts say stricter rules have also made it harder for laid-off H-1B workers to switch sectors or accept jobs below their previous salary and skill category. Companies are now reportedly required to provide more detailed documentation while sponsoring foreign employees.
Case Study 1:
Seattle-based software engineer RAHULSharma said he has already applied for more than 150 jobs after losing employment earlier this year. According to him, the biggest problem is not rejection but the slow pace of hiring and visa transfer approvals. He said the process often takes months while laid-off H-1B workers have limited time to remain legally in the country.
Case Study 2:
California resident surander Singh said uncertainty has increased stress among Indian families living in America. He explained that concerns over children’s education, housing loans, healthcare coverage and dependent visas are forcing many families to prepare backup plans in case they have to return to India unexpectedly.
Experts believe Indian professionals remain critical to the American technology, engineering and healthcare sectors. However, they say stable immigration policies, faster visa processing and reduction in green card backlogs are necessary to provide relief to skilled foreign workers and their families.