Aging out, forced out: Indian youth in US face uncertain future
Thousands of young Indians living in the U.S. are facing an immigration crisis once they turn 21.
That is when all youth living with their parents under the H1-B visa in the country legally lose dependent status.
The H-1B visa has long been popular among Indian professionals, especially in the IT sector.
This is due to the high demand for skilled workers in the US and the opportunity to earn significantly higher salaries.
As of March 2023, nearly 134,000 Indian children were at risk of aging out before their families secured green cards.
This is forcing them to find alternative visa options or leave the United States.
Previously, they had two years to transition to a more permanent immigration status.
However, policy changes have now placed their stay in doubt.
After Latin Americans, Indians are the second-largest group crossing into the U.S. from Mexico.
Indian media outlet NDTV reports that many affected individuals are now exploring immigration options in Canada or the U.K., which have more flexible policies.
The backlog in the United States’ green card system disproportionately affects Indian immigrants.
Some face waits of up to 100 years for permanent residency.
Meanwhile, the USCIS has opened H-1B visa registration for fiscal year 2026 from March 7 to 24, with a $215 fee.
The cap remains at 65,000 visas annually, plus 20,000 for U.S. master’s degree holders.
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