Trump's green card and H-1B visa freeze: Should Indian tech workers on H-1B visas be worried?

UPDATED: Apr 2, 2025 00:34 IST

The Trump administration has placed a temporary freeze on certain Green Card applications, leaving thousands of immigrants uncertain about their future in the United States. For many Indians seeking refuge or permanent residency, this latest crackdown could mean years of delays and instability. Will this move derail their American dream?

For decades, the U.S. has been a destination of opportunity for Indian migrants, but under President Donald Trump’s second term, immigration policies have become increasingly restrictive. The latest policy change suspends the processing of Green Cards for refugees and asylees, with the Department of Homeland Security citing the need for additional screening. However, critics argue that this is yet another barrier to legal immigration.

Indians make up a significant portion of asylum seekers in the U.S., and this delay could have severe consequences:

Job Insecurity – Many asylees depend on work permits, which may be affected by prolonged bureaucratic backlogs.

Family Separation – Those awaiting reunification with family members in India now face indefinite delays.

Legal Risks – A longer waiting period increases the risk of rejection or deportation, even for those who have lived in the U.S. for years.

Indian tech workers on H-1B visas are also closely monitoring these developments. While the freeze does not directly impact employment-based Green Cards, it signals Trump’s broader agenda of tightening legal immigration. His administration has already restricted H-1B visas and imposed stricter asylum policies under the guise of national security. The reality, however, is a direct impact on thousands of Indians contributing to the U.S. economy and society.

Even more troubling is the government’s increasing scrutiny of student activists, including foreign scholars of Indian origin. Deportation threats and visa denials have become a growing concern, reinforcing fears that the crackdown extends beyond asylum seekers to legal migrants as well.

With no clear timeline for resumption, Indian asylum seekers and migrants face an uncertain future. Legal challenges may arise, but for now, frustration, fear, and instability define the experience of thousands who once viewed America as a place of refuge. As Trump continues to tighten immigration policies, one question remains: Will legal migrants ever achieve the stability they were promised?