More than one million people from India are waiting for jobs in the United States. The wait is very long, sometimes even for decades.
This is because of specific rules in the U.S. immigration system. The government data shows that many skilled professionals from India are waiting for permanent residence permits, also known as green cards.
These permits allow them to live and work permanently in the U.S. However, due to the limited number of people from each country who can get these green cards, the process is slow for Indians.
A recent analysis of the USCIS data by the National Foundation for American Policy reveals the extent of the problem in the top three employment-based immigration categories.
Here’s what they found:
- First Preference: This category includes people with extraordinary skills, like professors and managers. Around 143,497 Indians are waiting in this category.
- Second Preference: This category is for people with advanced degrees. It includes around 838,784 Indians.
- Third Preference: This category is for skilled workers. Around 277,162 Indians are waiting here.
In total, over 1.2 million Indians in these categories are waiting for green cards, and the number keeps increasing every year.
Without changes from the U.S. Congress, the waitlist could grow even longer. By 2030, it’s estimated that over 2 million people from India could be waiting for green cards.
This long wait creates stress and uncertainty for individuals and families, and it also affects the ability of the U.S. to attract and retain talented professionals.
The current system needs reforms to address these challenges and ensure a smoother immigration process for everyone involved.
(Source: Forbes)
