More than a million Indians are stuck in a long queue for green cards, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) data. This wait is due to a cap on the number of green cards given to people from a specific country and a low annual quota.
These long wait times can cause problems for both individuals and their families, and can also make it harder for the US to attract and keep talented workers, says the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) after analysing the USCIS data.
RISE IN NUMBER OF INDIANS WAITING FOR GREEN CARD
First Preference (EB-1): This employment-based first preference, also known as EB-1, category includes workers with extraordinary abilities, outstanding professors and researchers, and multinational executives or managers. An estimated 143,497 Indians are waiting in this backlog.
An estimated 838,784 Indians are waiting in this backlog. The USCIS data shows this backlog has grown significantly in recent years.
According to USCIS, 138,581 principals are in the employment-based third preference, also known as EB-3. NFAP estimates an additional 138,581 dependents for a total of 277,162 Indians in the third preference backlog.
WAIT TIME FOR INDIANS LONGER THAN OTHER NATIONALS'
The Visa Bulletin, which is released monthly by the US Department of State, shows the priority date required to be eligible to receive a green card in each employment-based preference category.
IMPACT AND CALL TO ACTION
Without changes to the current system, the backlog is expected to continue to grow. The National Foundation for American Policy is calling on Congress to take action to address this problem, as stated in the report.
