Trump’s new rules:
Donald Trump, after assuming office as the US President introduced several executive orders that could significantly impact immigrants, including Indians. One of the major changes involves ending birthright citizenship, which previously granted US citizenship to all children born on American soil regardless of their parents’ immigration status. Under the new rule, at least one parent must be a US citizen, green card holder or a member of the US military for a child to receive citizenship.
This decision affects Indians on temporary visas, such as H1B holders who are awaiting green card approvals. As per reports, over 4.8 million Indian-Americans reside in the US. For them, children born before green card approval will not gain citizenship automatically. This creates uncertainty for Indian immigrants who are already navigating long green card backlogs.
In addition to birthright citizenship, Trump’s “America First” policy prioritizes employment opportunities for native citizens over immigrants. New conditions are being imposed on companies hiring foreign workers, making it harder for Indian professionals in sectors like IT to retain jobs. If immigrants lose their employment, they must leave the country within 90 days.
Indian students in the US are also feeling the heat. Reports emerged of stricter enforcement of rules against illegal part-time jobs, a common practice among Indian students trying to repay heavy educational loans. If regulations around part-time work become more rigid, students may find it difficult to support themselves financially, discouraging many from pursuing education in the US.
Families in India, who once saw America as a land of opportunity, are now hesitant to send their children due to the rising uncertainties. Trump’s policies are pushing Indian families to reconsider the practicality and benefits of investing heavily in American education and jobs, leading to growing skepticism about settling in the US.
