Amid immigration policy shifts under former US President Donald Trump, over 1 lakh Indian-origin young adults, known as ‘documented dreamers,’ face the threat of self-deportation. These individuals, who arrived in the US as children on H-4 dependent visas, lose their legal status upon turning 21, leaving them in a precarious situation. Without immediate immigration relief, many are being forced to either leave the country or navigate costly visa transitions.
With the recent Texas court ruling declaring the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme unlawful, many of these young immigrants have lost an important safety net. The options for staying, such as switching to an F-1 student visa, come with significant financial burdens, including loss of in-state tuition benefits.
Many affected individuals have been waiting years for green card approvals due to the massive backlog in the employment-based green card system. “Our waiting period is 23 years, and I am turning 21 this October. What am I supposed to do after that?” asked a student from Texas. With the estimated green card processing time for Indians extending up to 134 years, the uncertainty is only growing.
Some are now looking at alternative destinations like Canada or the UK, which offer more inclusive immigration pathways. Meanwhile, for those whose parents have received green cards, separation from family adds to the distress.
As thousands of young Indian immigrants grapple with an uncertain future, the need for immigration reform has become more urgent than ever. Advocates continue to push for legislative changes to protect documented dreamers, but until concrete action is taken, many remain in limbo.
