Thousands of Indian-American children face deportation
Thousands of children of legal immigrants in the United States, many of them Indian-Americans, are at risk of being deported due to a legal technicality known as “aging out.” Over 250,000 children, referred to as ‘Documented Dreamers’, came to the US with their parents on temporary work visas. As they turn 21, they lose their dependent status and face the threat of deportation.
A study by the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP), based on data from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), reveals that over 1.2 million Indians, including dependents, are currently waiting for green cards in categories EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3. According to US immigration law, a child is defined as someone under 21 who is unmarried. If they turn 21 before their green card application is approved, they are no longer considered a child for immigration purposes. This results in them “aging out,” requiring a new application, a longer wait, or making them ineligible for a green card.
Approximately 250,000 children of legal immigrants, many of Indian descent, face potential deportation from the #UnitedStates upon turning 21 due to the “aging out” issue, as per reports.
More details https://t.co/hwCSKZa36y pic.twitter.com/3EajS14RZr
— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) July 28, 2024
The White House has blamed the Republicans for the lack of progress on legislation that could address this issue. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre highlighted that a bipartisan agreement to help these ‘Documented Dreamers’ was voted down twice by Republicans.
On June 13, a group of 43 lawmakers, led by Senator Alex Padilla and Representative Deborah Ross, called on the Biden Administration to take urgent action. They pointed out that these young people, who have grown up and been educated in the US, face uncertainty due to the long green card backlog, even when their families have approved immigrant petitions.
Advocacy groups like Improve The Dream have been actively pushing for a solution. Dip Patel, the founder of the organization, expressed disappointment over the lack of action and delayed regulations. Patel hopes that the administration will recognize the bipartisan support for this issue and take steps to protect these individuals.
The personal stories of these ‘Documented Dreamers’ highlight the emotional and practical challenges they face. For instance, Jefrina, who came to the US at age 7, and Praneetha, who arrived at age 8, have had to rely on temporary visa solutions to avoid self-deportation. Jefrina, now a graduate student, is worried about her future after graduation. Praneetha, a cloud engineer, has lived in the US for over 15 years but still faces uncertainty regarding her residency status.
Similarly, Roshan who came to the US at age 10, was forced to leave the country last month after aging out in 2019 despite having spent almost 16 years in the US. Dwarkesh Patel, a podcaster, shared his own story, explaining how his family’s green card process has kept him in a precarious situation.
