The Trump administration has reinstated and expanded the "public charge" rule, making it harder for immigrants seeking green cards if they have used public benefits like Medicaid, food stamps, or housing assistance. This policy change, effective September 18, will impact many applicants, including those from India, by broadening the criteria for inadmissibility.
Two Indian-origin individuals, Pritesh Walia, a jazz guitarist, and Venkata Vasamsetty, a green-card holder grandmother, have been detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in separate cases, highlighting the Trump administration's intensified deportation and enforcement drive.
This could come as a setback to thousands of Indian engineers who have waited for years for their work visas to pave the way for the coveted Green Card.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating Form I-485 for permanent residence, effective September 18, 2026, with no grace period for older versions. This change, aligning with public-charge inadmissibility rules, significantly impacts Green Card applicants, particularly Indian nationals facing visa backlogs, who must use the correct form version to avoid rejection.
The US Department of Homeland Security has clarified that not all immigrants seeking green cards will be required to return to their home country to make such applications, partially walking back a previous announcement.
The US government on Friday issued a new policy memo tightening rules for foreign nationals on temporary visas seeking permanent residency, stating that persons wanting a Green Card must return to their home country to apply, except in "extraordinary circumstances".
Green card holders have the right to live permanently in the country, but only if they do not commit deportable offences.
The US State Department has paused visa appointments worldwide to conduct a 'global training initiative' for consular officers, aiming to ensure applicants are not likely to become a 'public charge' and are comprehensively evaluated, intensifying President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.
One in 10 employees at California-headquartered technology unicorns now work from India, surpassing other major US tech hubs and several countries, driven by US visa restrictions and substantial cost savings.
'One important clarification is that the reported US action is not a blanket cancellation of all US tourist visas.'
The US is reportedly considering a USD 100,000 fee for Optional Practical Training (OPT) visas, which allow international students to work in the US after graduation. This move by the Trump administration follows a rejected H1-B visa fee proposal and could significantly impact foreign graduates and tech companies. The Department of Homeland Security is also exploring a USD 100,000 bond for green card applicants.
Peter G Kaestner, US Consul General, New Delhi, answers visa-related queries.
Reopening the country to people seeking green cards, or legal permanent residence, Biden in his proclamation on Wednesday said that the policy of former US President Donald Trump does not advance the interests of the United States.
The Biden administration has eased norms by releasing policy guidance on the eligibility criteria for those waiting for green cards to work and stay in America, days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reinstated officers' authority to deny immigration benefit requests if applicants submit incomplete applications or fail to provide necessary documentation. This new policy, effective immediately, reverses a previous rule that allowed a 12-week response period for requests for evidence, placing the burden squarely on applicants to prove eligibility at the time of filing.
This employment-based backlog is projected to double by fiscal 2030. The back log exists because the number of foreign workers whom US employers sponsor for Green Cards each year exceeds the annual statutory Green Card allocation. In addition to this numerical limit, a statutory seven per cent per-country ceiling prevents the monopolisation of employment-based Green Cards by a few countries.
The H-1B visa once symbolised the American Dream for Indians, but today's students are increasingly asking whether they need America at all. In 1995, the question was: How do I get to America? In 2026, it may be: Do I need to?
Promising Indian golfer Arjun Prasad has officially joined the AM Green Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) ahead of its second half of the season, set to begin in late September. Prasad, 27, brings a strong performance record, including a recent professional title win and multiple top-10 finishes, making him a significant addition to the league's roster alongside other notable players.
The Indian women's hockey team suffered a 2-0 defeat against the formidable Netherlands in their FIH World Cup Pool E encounter, with goals from Yibbi Jansen and Frederique Matla, both from penalty corners. This loss puts India in a precarious position, requiring a victory against Australia to keep their semi-final aspirations alive.
India played an impressive opening match at the Women's Hockey World Cup, securing a 2-2 draw against Olympic silver medallists China, with goals from Navneet Kaur and Deepika.
As of now, about 66 per cent of the green cards are given to those with family ties and only 12 per cent are based on skills.
Shaurya Bhattacharya carded a four-under 68 to secure a one-shot lead in the opening round of the Rs 1 crore Kolar Open golf tournament. The Delhi-based golfer, a two-time DP World PGTI winner, made an eagle and four birdies, capitalising on a strong start to finish ahead of Dhruv Sheoran, Arjun Sharma, and Badal Hossain.
A Green Card, known officially as a permanent resident card, is a document issued to immigrants as evidence that the bearer has been granted the privilege of residing permanently in the US.
Delhi golfer Shaurya Bhattacharya maintained his two-shot lead after shooting a one-under 71 in Round 3 of the PGTI Kolar Open. He now aggregates 10-under 206, with Chandigarh's Angad Cheema and Hyderabad's Mohammed Azhar tied for second at eight-under 208. Bhattacharya faced challenging weather conditions but secured a crucial birdie on the final hole to restore his advantage for the final round.
Ridhima Dilawari secured her fourth title on the Hero Women's Pro Golf Tour at Prestige Golfshire, Bengaluru, with a final round of 4-under 68. She finished one shot ahead of Mannat Brar, extending her lead in the Hero Order of Merit.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar raised India's concerns with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding changes to US visa and immigration policies, emphasising that legal mobility should not be negatively affected. Rubio acknowledged potential 'bumps' during the transition as the US aims to improve its immigration system.
Udayan Mane shot a flawless eight-under 64 with a hole-in-one to open up a commanding six-shot lead after round two of the AM Green IGPL Invitational South Africa.
The US on Thursday introduced a new facility for premium processing of permanent residency, or Green Card, applications from foreign nationals that are willing to make heavy investment in US, resulting in creation of jobs.
Immigrants' contribution to the US economy is disproportionate to their share of the population, meaning that losing them would shrink the economy even more than losing a random group of Americans, points out Sree Sreenivasan.
Trump described the Gold Card as a "Green Card, but much better, much more powerful, a much stronger path and a path is a big deal. Have to be great people, but much stronger path", which also helps companies.
The US Citizenship Act 2023 introduced by Congresswoman Linda S nchez creates an earned roadmap to citizenship for all 11 million undocumented immigrants, providing Dreamers, TPS holders, and some farmworkers with an immediate path to citizenship.
Om Prakash Chouhan has taken the opening-round lead at the Rs 1 crore Coal India Open in Kolkata, delivering a spectacular eight-under 62. His impressive performance included a hole-in-one and an eagle, giving him a one-shot advantage over former Asian Tour winner Ajeetesh Sandhu.
Seasoned golfer Vani Kapoor, along with amateurs Ayesha Gupta and Riya Jadon, finished the first round of the Women's Pro Golf Tour in a shared lead at 4-under 67. The tournament saw strong performances from several players at the Clover Greens layout.
Trump, however, said that the move will not have any impact on those entering the country on a temporary basis.
This was because his wife Anu was not able to join him in Seattle, due to the existing US law that said if a green card holder marries, his/her spouse's visa is rejected.
Veer Ganapathy and Sachin Baisoya share the lead after the first round of the AM Green IGPL Invitational 2026 in Mauritius, with several other golfers close behind.
A bipartisan legislation has been introduced in the US House of Representatives to eliminate the per country cap on employment-based Green Card, a move which is likely to benefit Indian IT professionals languishing over decades of waiting for the Permanent Resident Card. The legislation was introduced by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren and Congressman John Curtis. The Equal Access to green cards for Legal Employment (EAGLE) Act, 2021 needs to be passed by the Senate before it can be sent to the White House for the president to sign it into a law. A Green Card, known officially as a Permanent Resident Card, is a document issued to immigrants to the US as evidence that the bearer has been granted the privilege of residing permanently.
The number of Indians receiving the coveted green card or the Legal Permanent Residency status in the United States has experienced a considerable decline in the past three years.
Indian golfer Avani Prashanth finished the Amundi German Masters in T-49 place after carding a bogey-free round of 2-under 71. Germany's Leonie Harm secured her first title.
The important criterion that you will have to meet for this is that you have to be an investor in the American economy.
