The Impact of Changing US Immigration Policies on Indian Diaspora, Indian Immigrants, and Future Migratory Trends

Description

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22305014

Kuldeep Sharma (Centre for Political Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi)

The United States has long been a top priority destination for Indian immigrants, primarily for its vast educational and economic opportunities. But in recent years, US immigration policy has undergone significant changes, especially under president Trump first tenure (2017-2021). In this light, this article investigates that how these changing policies affects the larger Indian Diaspora and Indian immigrants in United States. It evaluates important policy changes that impacts H-1B Visa, employment-based Green Cards, and others. The article underscores how this tightened security and other bureaucratic hurdles generated significant uncertainties for indian Immigrants, especially for highly skilled professionals. Furthermore, it also illustrates the responses and adaptation strategies employed by the Indian Diaspora including legal challenges, advocacy efforts and the diversification of migration destinations. Finally, it evaluates the potential long term consequences of theses restrictive policies on US competitiveness, innovation, global talent mobility and larger US-India Relations.