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Analiza Pathak
Born in Guwahati, raised in Mussoorie and Delhi, She grew up reading magazines more than textbooks. She is an experienced writer/editor and has shifted focus to various aspects of communication. Her a ... Read More
You’ve probably heard of the H-1B visa—it’s a big deal for people, especially Indians, who dream of working in the US. However, during Donald Trump’s second term as president, changes in immigration policies created a lot of uncertainty for many. These new rules have made life harder for H-1B visa holders and their children, who once saw a clear path to settling in the US. The H-1B visa is a temporary, non-immigrant visa that allows foreign professionals to work in the US, mainly in fields like technology, healthcare, and science. It lets them stay and work legally for a set number of years. In many cases, their families can also join them through dependent visas, making it easier for them to live together in the US.
During Donald Trump’s presidency, the US made significant changes to its visa and immigration policies. One major change impacted the children of H-1B visa holders. Earlier, these children were considered dependents, and those born in the US were granted citizenship automatically. However, this policy has been revoked, shattering the dreams of thousands of Indian immigrant families.
According to 2023 government data, around 1.34 lakh Indian children were expecting green cards. However, due to visa backlogs and age limits, they are now at risk of losing their legal status before their applications are processed. Many of these children fear self-deportation, as they may be asked to leave the only country they have ever known. The waiting period for their parents’ green card applications can range from 12 years to even 100 years, adding to their struggles.
A Texas court recently ruled against granting work permits to new applicants under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. DACA previously provided two years of temporary protection for undocumented immigrant children. Now, once these children turn 21, they will no longer qualify as dependents under their parents’ visas. This has created an uncertain and distressing situation, especially for young Indian immigrants.
A student from Texas shared their concern, saying, “Our wait time is 23 years, and I turn 21 this October. What will happen to me after that? Earlier, DACA provided a two-year extension, allowing people to study, work, and get a social security number. But after the new government ended birthright citizenship, everything has become uncertain and confusing.”
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