Green Card freeze: Donald Trump administration pauses processing applications, what does it mean for Indians? FAQ

TOI World Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Mar 29, 2025, 17:49 IST

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Green Card freeze: Donald Trump administration pauses processing applications, what does it mean for Indians? FAQ

The Trump administration has paused the processing of certain green card applications, intensifying concerns among Indian immigrants, one of the largest migrant communities in the United States. The move is part of a broader immigration crackdown focused on increased scrutiny and national security checks.
Why is Green Card processing paused?
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that the pause is in line with two executive orders signed by Donald Trump. These orders aim to enhance immigrant screening for potential fraud, public safety threats, and national security risks.
Who is affected?

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The suspension impacts immigrants applying for permanent residency, including Indian nationals. With over 2.9 million Indian immigrants in the US as of 2023, many now face prolonged delays and legal uncertainties.
How does this impact Indian immigrants?

Longer wait times: Indian nationals already face some of the longest green card backlogs due to per-country caps. According to the Cato Institute, some employment-based applicants may wait decades for approval. This pause is expected to extend those delays further.
Work authorization risks: Many Indian immigrants are on H-1B visas while awaiting their green cards. Delays in processing could cause their work permits to expire, leading to potential job loss and deportation risks.
Family separation: The freeze applies to adjustment of status applications, which many use to reunite with immediate family members. Indian immigrants sponsoring family members may face prolonged separation.
High-skilled workers at risk: Indian tech professionals, who form a large share of H-1B visa holders, are particularly vulnerable. Industry groups warn that extended delays could push these workers to seek opportunities in countries like Canada, which offers faster permanent residency.
Uncertainty for asylum seekers: Indian asylum seekers and refugees who have already passed extensive background checks could see their legal status remain uncertain, affecting their access to work, healthcare, and other essential services.

What do experts say?
Laura Collins, director at the Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative, told NBC News, “All these people who are approved to remain in the United States have already passed government scrutiny.” She argued that further delays are unnecessary.
Azadeh Erfani from the National Immigrant Justice Center told Newsweek, “This sweeping and indefinite stop on green card processing is yet another attempt for this administration to baselessly paint all immigrants as a national security risk.”
Is there a timeline for lifting the freeze?
The Trump administration has not provided any timeline for when green card processing will resume, leaving thousands of applicants uncertain about their future.
What is the broader impact of this policy?
This move aligns with Trump’s larger push to tighten immigration policies, including plans to deport millions of undocumented immigrants. Critics argue the pause unfairly targets legal immigrants and creates further bureaucratic hurdles.
Recently, the Trump administration has detained individuals with ties to American universities, many of whom have supported pro-Palestinian causes, as part of a crackdown on immigrants. Among the detained is Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University, arrested under accusations of supporting Hamas. Other individuals detained include Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist, Yunseo Chung, a US resident arrested at a protest, and Badar Khan Suri, a Georgetown scholar accused of spreading Hamas propaganda.
The US government has also taken action against several other activists, including Leqaa Kordia, Ranjani Srinivasan, and Alireza Doroudi, with many facing deportation or detention. Some of these individuals are accused of advocating for violence or engaging in political protests.

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