WASHINGTON—Indian citizens seeking permanent residency in the United States face one of the largest backlogs of applications in the U.S. immigration system, with estimates pointing to waits of up to 179 years in certain categories.
The figure, which has generated concern
among Indian workers and professionals remaining in the United States on
temporary visas, reflects the enormous backlog in employment-based immigration
categories.
The problem is related, among other
factors, to annual limits on Green Cards per country, which restrict the number
of permanent residents that citizens of a single nation can receive. Due to the
high number of applicants from India, demand has far exceeded the availability
of visas.
As a result, thousands of highly
skilled workers may remain for years—and even decades—waiting for their
applications to move forward. For some, the delay may extend beyond their
working lives.
The situation also affects the
applicants' families, as a prolonged wait can hinder decisions related to
employment, education, international mobility, and their children's continued
presence in the United States.
The case of Indian citizens has become
a key argument for those calling for immigration reform based on employment and
a modification of the country-specific entry limits.
The extended delay has reignited the
debate about the capacity of the U.S. immigration system to meet the demand for
highly skilled foreign workers, particularly in sectors such as technology,
engineering, medicine, and other specialized fields.