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Over 1 million Indians awaiting highly skilled immigrant visas: USCIS
Backlog is primarily caused by a cap on the number of green cards allocated to individuals from a particular country and a restricted annual quota.
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Representative Image / Unsplash
Data from the U.S. government has revealed that over one million Indians are currently stuck in an employment-based immigration backlog.
According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services data numerous highly skilled Indian professionals are confronted with the prospect of waiting potentially decades to obtain permanent residency (green cards) due to both per-country limits and a limited annual quota. These prolonged waits result in significant personal distress for individuals and their families, while also impeding the country's capacity to attract and retain talented individuals.
Many highly skilled professionals from India, such as doctors, engineers, and scientists, are encountering exceptionally long wait periods, potentially spanning decades, to secure permanent residency in the US, according to a Forbes report.
As per an analysis conducted by the National Foundation for American Policy using USCIS data, over 1.2 million Indians, along with their dependents, are currently in line across the first, second, and third employment-based green card categories. This data is based on approved I-140 immigrant petitions up to Nov. 2, 2023.
In the employment-based first preference category, also known as EB-1, USCIS reports that there are 51,249 primary applicants. NFAP estimates an additional 92,248 dependents, bringing the total number of Indians in the first preference backlog to 143,497. The EB-1 category encompasses individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, as well as multinational executives or managers.
In the employment-based second preference category or EB-2, USCIS reported 419,392 primary applicants as of November 2, 2023. NFAP estimates an additional 419,392 dependents, resulting in a total of 838,784 Indians in the second preference backlog. EB-2 includes professionals with advanced degrees and individuals with exceptional abilities in the fields of sciences, arts, or business.
In the employment-based third preference category or EB-3, USCIS reports 138,581 primary applicants. NFAP estimates an additional 138,581 dependents, bringing the total number of Indians in the third preference backlog to 277,162. EB-3 includes skilled workers and individuals who are "members of the professions" whose jobs require at least a bachelor's degree.
Without intervention from Congress, the backlog is projected to escalate further. In 2020, the Congressional Research Service (CRS) estimated that the backlog for Indians in the top three employment-based green card categories would swell to 2,195,795 individuals by Fiscal Year 2030. Eliminating this backlog would take an estimated 195 years.
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