Getting Green Cards and US Citizenship to be tough now
, ET Bureau|
Jan 04, 2018, 07.49 AM IST
After the Trump administration's planned move on H-1B Visa, Indians may also find it tough to obtain green cards or US citizenship. US Congressmen, who assist immigrants in obtaining green card or citizenship, may find it difficult to be part of the process with the US authorities putting new restrictions.
It's fairly common for US Congressmen to help immigrants out in case they face any difficulty while applying for green card or citizenship, persons familiar with the process told ET.
In some cases, Congressmen sign privacy waivers enabling their congressional office to reach out to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and report back to them. But it won't be that easy when the new restrictions kick in, which will increase the paperwork of the congressional office, and ultimately slow down the green card processing.
The Trump administration has already notified US Congressmen about the changes that it is putting in place for prospective green card holders and citizens, according to one of the persons mentioned above. This move comes simultaneously with the US Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) move to consider new regulations that would prevent foreign workers from getting H-1B visa extensions while their green card applications are pending.
If the proposal is passed by the US Congress, it has the potential to affect thousands of Indian skilled professionals working in the US. This remains a thorny issue between New Delhi and Washington.
The USCIS, according to some reports, will now demand additional forms, certified translations and notarized signatures from people while applying for a green card or citizenship.
US advocacy groups have opposed the move, saying the administration is putting in more restrictions. But the USCIS has rejected the allegations, saying the move will protect the privacy of the applicants. The mail sent to the office of Congressmen by Ronald Atkinson, the acting chief of USCIS' legislative affairs office, stated that the privacy waivers would be accepted only if certain requirements are met.
It's fairly common for US Congressmen to help immigrants out in case they face any difficulty while applying for green card or citizenship, persons familiar with the process told ET.
In some cases, Congressmen sign privacy waivers enabling their congressional office to reach out to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and report back to them. But it won't be that easy when the new restrictions kick in, which will increase the paperwork of the congressional office, and ultimately slow down the green card processing.
The Trump administration has already notified US Congressmen about the changes that it is putting in place for prospective green card holders and citizens, according to one of the persons mentioned above. This move comes simultaneously with the US Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) move to consider new regulations that would prevent foreign workers from getting H-1B visa extensions while their green card applications are pending.
If the proposal is passed by the US Congress, it has the potential to affect thousands of Indian skilled professionals working in the US. This remains a thorny issue between New Delhi and Washington.
The USCIS, according to some reports, will now demand additional forms, certified translations and notarized signatures from people while applying for a green card or citizenship.
US advocacy groups have opposed the move, saying the administration is putting in more restrictions. But the USCIS has rejected the allegations, saying the move will protect the privacy of the applicants. The mail sent to the office of Congressmen by Ronald Atkinson, the acting chief of USCIS' legislative affairs office, stated that the privacy waivers would be accepted only if certain requirements are met.
