New Immigration Rules Affect Refugees
The Trump administration has temporarily stopped processing Green Card applications for certain people, including those with asylum and refugee status. The decision is the part of a broader immigration policy. It aimed at security tightening and reduce number of premanent residency approvals. Additional screening and vetting will now required before finalizing applications, confirmed by US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
This decesion raise concerns, as it will cause long delays for applications for permanent residency. This move may cause harder for asylum seekers to stay in country, which cause risk of deportation
Impact on Indian Asylum Seekers
According to reports, large group of Indians applying for asylum. Numbers of Indians Asylum seekers has increased significantly in recent years. Numbers says, in 20218, only 9,000 Indians applied, but by 2023, it had risen over 51,000. This huge number made India as top countries for asylum seekers.
With the new Green Card freeze, many Indian asylum seekers may face uncertain futures. Obtaining legal status in the U.S. is already long and complicated process. This latest move could further delay approvals, forcing some applicants to remain in legal limbo for years.
Stricter Vetting and Social Media Checks
As part of its new immigration measures, the Trump administration has also introduced stricter vetting procedures. For security checks, immigrants now need to provide their social media handles, who applying for Green Cards. Officials say this is necessary to prevent fraud and identify potential threats.
However, experts believes that these new rules could make the process even more difficult. Many applicants have already undergone extensive background checks before receiving asylum status. Extra screening is unnecessary and could create additional barriers for applicants who are struggling to stay in the country legally, said by immigration experts.
Concerns and Legal Challenges
The decision to freeze Green Card processing has received criticism from immigration advocates and legal experts. Some argue that this move is politically motivated and unfairly targets asylum seekers. A federal judge recently blocked one of the Trump administration’s policies that allowed deportation without proper safety reviews.
For Indian nationals, this pause could mean longer separation from their families. Many Indian immigrants sponsor their relatives for Green Cards, and this delay will affect thousands of families waiting for reunification. Continue changes in the rules has make people worroed about their future in the united states.
What Lies Ahead?
Because of new restrictions, Asylum seekers and refugees must prepare for longer waiting periods. In recent years, united states changes thier immigration policies frequently and these updates could impact those seeking permanent residency.
For now, the focus remains on how these rules will be implemented and whether they will face legal challenges. Many advocacy groups are calling for a review of the decision, arguing that it unfairly affects people who have already been granted protection in the U.S. The situation remains uncertain, but for thousands of Indian asylum seekers, the road to a Green Card just became even harder.
Andy Roberts is a seasoned journalist with nearly 9 years experience. While studying journalism at Ryerson, Annie found a passion for finding engaging stories. As a contributor to White Pine Tribune, Annie mostly covers provincial and national developments..
