New Delhi: A staggering number of over 1 lakh Indian children in the United States are on the brink of heartbreaking separation from their parents, all because of an excruciating backlog in the Green Card process. As these young individuals reach the age of 21, they risk losing their legal status under the H-4 visa category. This alarming situation has cast a long shadow of uncertainty over Indian families residing in the US.

The heart-wrenching consequence

The Green Card backlog, characterized by lengthy delays, is poised to forcibly separate families living in the United States. More than 10.7 lakh Indians are currently in line for employment-based Green Cards, granting them permanent residency in the US.

The overwhelming wait time

Considering the colossal backlog and the 7 percent cap placed on each country, the Green Card process is projected to extend for more than 135 years if the current numbers persist. This daunting timeline means that parents and their children may remain separated for generations.

Aging out and forced separation

Under the H-4 visa system, individuals are permitted to stay in the US until they reach the age of 21. Tragically, by the time Green Card applications are processed, approximately 1.34 lakh Indian children on H-4 visas will have aged out. This will result in heart-wrenching separations from their parents.

The complex H-4 visa situation

Children who migrate to the US under the H-4 visa, designed for the spouses and children of H-1B visa holders, face a precarious situation as they approach the age limit. Once they turn 21, they can no longer maintain their legal status under the H-4 visa category.

Difficult choices

At this juncture, these young individuals, often referred to as “documented dreamers,” face two difficult options. They can apply for an F-1 or student visa to pursue studies in the US, but working without an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) can be challenging. Obtaining an F-1 visa is also highly competitive.

The emotional dilemma

The other option entails self-deportation to their home country, a heart-wrenching choice, especially for those who have spent their formative years in the US, with limited ties to their family in India.

Uncertainty looms

The strict age limit imposed by H-4 visas and the seemingly endless Green Card backlog have created an atmosphere of anxiety and uncertainty among Indian families residing in the US. While the Biden administration has proposed changes, including allowing certain H-4 visa holders to remain and work after turning 21, the fate of these families remains uncertain.

This heart-rending situation highlights the urgent need for reform in the US immigration system to prevent the tragic separation of families and offer a glimmer of hope to those living in uncertainty.