The American dream, under a visa siege

Despite the tightening of visa rules — and even as courts push back against some of the administration’s measures — the pull of the American Dream remains remarkably strong

The Trump administration aims to reform the immigration system and tighten immigration rules. As part of this, it plans to pause certain immigration visas and pause visa processing. During his second term, the Trump administration has paused or rescheduled visa appointments at US embassies and consulates worldwide. This affects individuals seeking to travel to the US for work, study or family visits.

The administration aims to cancel B1/B2 visas for 200,000 asylum seekers. Since taking office, it has cancelled over 175,000 visas for foreign citizens for a variety of reasons, according to the State Department. This visa pause impacts 75 countries.

The suspension of specific visa categories has created challenges and uncertainty for many foreign nationals, particularly those from India. This decision has raised concerns for families, workers and students who rely on these visas for various opportunities in the United States.

However, last week, the US resumed issuing immigrant visas to people from 75 countries after a long pause. This change followed a federal court ruling against the visa pause, which began in January to screen applicants who might require more public benefits in the US. This is part of a larger plan to train diplomatic staff globally to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of US diplomatic operations.

Currently, nearly one million Indians are stuck in the US employment-based green card backlog, representing about 79 per cent of those awaiting approval in the first three categories. An analysis by the National Foundation for American Policy suggests that Indian nationals filing applications in January 2026 or later could face waits of 179 years for EB-2 and 38 years for EB-3 permanent residence.

This is part of a larger plan to train diplomatic staff at posts worldwide. The goal is to make US diplomatic operations more efficient and effective.

The administration is also cracking down on birth tourism, where foreign pregnant women travel to the US to give birth, thus gaining birthright citizenship for their children. Trump has tried to end this practice; however, the courts, including the Supreme Court, have consistently rejected his efforts.

The State Department has announced modifications to visa appointment schedules to support consular officer training. This training aims to help officers better identify visa applicants who may rely on US public benefits and ensure a thorough, consistent evaluation of all visa applications.

The US visa system plays a crucial role in enabling international travel, work, study and family reunification. The government has temporarily paused processing certain visa types, including Temporary Work Visas (H-1B), student visas (F-1) and family-sponsored visas, as part of efforts to improve visa management. This is a challenging time for many individuals from India and other countries, and these changes are expected to streamline the process moving forward.

Students planning to study in the US are feeling the impact of this uncertainty regarding their visa status, which complicates their enrolment in academic programmes and may force them to re-evaluate their educational plans entirely. The ongoing suspension of visa processing is causing significant issues for families. Many Indian nationals have relatives in the United States waiting for green cards or other immigration assistance, leaving these families uncertain and facing both emotional and practical challenges.

Maintaining familial connections across international borders is difficult, especially during significant life events. India is currently facing major challenges due to recent changes in US policy.

Other nations, such as China, Mexico and the Philippines, which have many citizens living in the United States, are also affected by these changes. As globalisation connects economies and cultures, these policy changes could significantly impact international relations and economic cooperation.

There is a growing call for immigration reform. As people and families navigate this uncertainty, they need robust policies and support systems more than ever.

Immigrant rights advocates and other organisations are working to improve the US visa process. They aim for the government to recognise the challenges individuals and families face and create easier pathways to obtain visas.

Additionally, the Trump administration plans to revoke the visas of approximately 200,000 foreigners who entered the country for tourism or business but sought to extend their stay by applying for asylum.

Earlier this week, the Trump administration began reviewing a new proposal to overhaul the H-1B visa programme, signalling another potentially significant change to the employment route used by thousands of Indian professionals. This proposal could impact the US economy by at least $100 million annually.

Ongoing advocacy and reforms are essential to ensure that the immigration system meets the diverse needs of individuals seeking opportunities in the United States.

Recently, US courts have limited some of the Trump administration’s measures, including a federal judge’s ruling that overturned a previous decision. But all these have not made the aspirants pull back or stop; they continue towards the completion of their “American dream”.

The suspension of specific visa categories has created challenges and uncertainty for many foreign nationals, particularly those from India. This decision has raised concerns for families, workers, and students who rely on these visas for various opportunities in the United States

The writer is a popular columnist; Views presented are personal.