As Donald Trump and the Republican Party prepare to return to the White House in 2025, immigrants, particularly from India, are growing increasingly concerned about the future of H-1B visas and the US green card process. Ahead of the 2024 elections, Trump has proposed a series of measures aimed at restricting immigration, including reducing the number of H-1B visas and tightening the eligibility criteria.

One of Trump’s major proposals is to end birthright citizenship for children born to immigrant parents, a policy that has been in place for decades.

During his first term (2016-2020), Trump’s administration already made significant cuts to H-1B visa availability, leading to a sharp rise in denial rates—from 4% to 17%—and a similar increase in L-1 visa denials, which jumped from 12% to 28%. These visa restrictions have had a direct impact on the Indian workforce, which is heavily reliant on these pathways to work in the US and eventually obtain a green card.

Popular Visa Options for Green Card Seekers
L-1 visas: These non-immigrant visas allow US companies to transfer employees from foreign offices to work temporarily in the US. L-1 visas are valid for 3 to 5 years and can be extended up to a maximum of 7 years.