10.7 Lakh Indians Could Face a 'Lifetime of Waiting' for their US Graan Card
Key Points:
- The United States is currently facing an unprecedented Green Card backlog crisis, affecting over 10.7 lakh Indians who are waiting for their Green Cards.
- Shockingly, a recent study estimates that approximately 424,000 applicants may pass away while waiting for their Green Cards, with the majority of them being of Indian origin.
- The employment-based Green Card backlog has reached an all-time high of 1.8 million cases this year, further exacerbating the crisis.
- The process of obtaining a Green Card in the US is often compared to winning a lottery due to its rarity, leaving many applicants in perpetual uncertainty.
- Despite proposals for immigration reform, the backlog continues to grow, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive immigration reform to address this crisis.
- Beyond the statistics, this backlog crisis has a profound impact on families, separating loved ones and putting lives on hold indefinitely.
Introduction:
The United States is currently facing an unprecedented Green Card backlog crisis, with over 10.7 lakh Indians caught in a nightmarish waiting game. Despite ongoing proposals for immigration reform, the backlog continues to grow, leaving thousands of hopeful immigrants in limbo. In this blog post, we will delve into the details of this crisis, exploring its causes, consequences, and the urgent need for reform.
The Escalating Crisis:
A recent study conducted by David J. Bier, the associate director of immigration studies at the Washington DC-based Cato Institute, has shed light on the dire situation surrounding employment-based Green Card backlogs in the US. Shockingly, approximately 424,000 applicants are expected to pass away while awaiting their Green Cards. The burden of this broken system falls heavily on the 1.1 million Indian applicants in the backlog. For them, securing a Green Card has become an elusive dream, with over 400,000 likely to die before receiving one.
Record-High Backlog:
According to the study, the employment-based Green Card backlog has reached an all-time high of 1.8 million cases this year. Even more concerning is the fate of 1,34,000 Indian children who will age out of eligibility before obtaining a Green Card. This backlog crisis has become a human tragedy of staggering proportions.
The Lottery-Like Nature of Legal Immigration:
Contrary to public perception, legal immigration in the US is more akin to winning the lottery than patiently waiting in line. The chances of obtaining a Green Card are so rare that it's irrational to expect it in any individual case. The current system leaves countless applicants in a state of perpetual uncertainty.
A 'Life Sentence' for Indian Applicants:
The backlog in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories has become a 'life sentence' for new Indian applicants. Shockingly, it's estimated that around 4,24,000 employment-based applicants will pass away while waiting for their Green Cards, with over 90 percent of them being of Indian origin. This crisis disproportionately affects Indians, who constitute a significant portion of new employer-sponsored applicants.
The Role of US Immigration Policy:
At the heart of this crisis lies US immigration policy, which allocates a mere 1.40 lakh Green Cards annually for employment-based applicants and enforces a 7 percent per-country cap. This cap, coupled with the disproportionate number of applicants from countries like China and India, has created an insurmountable backlog.
The Plight of Dependent Children:
Dependent children face a precarious situation as they age out of their H-4 visas linked to their parents' H-1B work visas. Limited options, such as obtaining an F-1 visa for international students, come with their own set of challenges, leaving many with no choice but to self-deport to their home countries.
The Urgent Need for Reform:
The current immigration system in the US is failing thousands of hopeful immigrants and their families. Proposals for immigration reform have been discussed but remain unenacted, exacerbating the crisis. It is crucial for the US to address these issues promptly to ensure that the American dream remains within reach for those who seek it.
The Human Toll:
Beyond the statistics, the Green Card backlog crisis is a human tragedy. Families are separated, dreams are shattered, and lives are put on hold indefinitely. It's essential to remember that behind each number is a story of hope, perseverance, and the pursuit of a better life.
Conclusion:
The Green Card backlog crisis in the US, with its devastating consequences for Indian applicants, highlights the pressing need for comprehensive immigration reform. As the backlog continues to grow, it's imperative for policymakers to take action to ensure a more equitable and efficient immigration system—one that doesn't subject applicants to a 'lifetime of waiting.'