Nearly 1 Million Indians In Green Card Backlog: How Trump’s H-1B Latest Move Could Affect Them

Indian professionals are particularly exposed to potential changes because of the lengthy employment-based green card backlog. (AI-Generated Image)

The Trump administration has proposed ending a US immigration policy that gives weight to previous visa approvals, potentially making H-1B extensions more uncertain for Indian professionals waiting for employment-based green cards.

Published on October 14, 2026, the proposal seeks to remove the requirement for US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to defer to earlier favourable decisions when reviewing extension petitions involving the same employer, worker and underlying facts.

The proposal is not yet final, and existing rules remain in effect until a final rule is published and takes effect.

Under the current policy, USCIS generally considers previous approvals when assessing extension applications, unless there is a material error, a significant change in circumstances or new information affecting eligibility. If the proposal is adopted, officers would have greater freedom to reassess eligibility in subsequent petitions.

Why Indian H-1B Holders Could Be Affected

Indian professionals are particularly exposed to potential changes because of the lengthy employment-based green card backlog. According to US immigration data cited in the report, Indians accounted for about 70 per cent of H-1B beneficiaries in fiscal year 2025.

Many workers…

Original source: https://www.timesnownews.com/world