2 days ago
New U.S. Immigration Rules Prompt Indians to Reconsider American Dream
The United States has changed some rules for people hoping to live and work there.
Most people applying for a Green Card will still face a public charge assessment.
New H-1B applications also face a $100,000 fee, and the selection system is set to consider wages.
Visa applicants, including students, are also facing more scrutiny of their social media.
These changes have made some Indian students and workers reconsider their plans.
The article says fewer Indians went abroad to study in 2025 than in 2023.
But one expert says Indian professionals are rethinking their plans, not giving up on them.
He says some are considering the EB-5 investment program as another route to a Green Card.
Revised U.S. guidance effective September 18 keeps public charge assessments for most Green Card applicants, including many family- and employment-based applicants.
The Trump administration has imposed a $100,000 fee on new H-1B applications and plans a wage-weighted selection system for FY2027.
Expanded screening of visa applicants, including checks of social media activity, is adding to uncertainty for Indian students and professionals.
Government data cited in the article shows Indian students going abroad fell to roughly 626,000 in 2025, from 908,000 in 2023.
CanAm Enterprises executive Piyush Gupta says Indian professionals are rethinking, rather than abandoning, U.S. plans, with some turning to EB-5.
- Who
- Indian students and professionals considering study, work, or permanent residence in the United States.
- What
- U.S. immigration changes and increased screening are prompting some Indians to reconsider their plans.
- Where
- The United States and India.
- When
- The revised Green Card guidance took effect September 18; the article also cites student outflow figures for 2023 and 2025.
- Why
- New or tightened requirements, higher costs, and increased scrutiny have added uncertainty.
Reasons to reconsider U.S. plans
Reasons plans may continue
Effect of tougher immigration rules
Reasons to reconsider U.S. plans
Higher costs, revised Green Card requirements, and expanded screening are making study and work plans in the U.S. less certain; the article reports a decline in Indian overseas student outflow.
Reasons plans may continue
Piyush Gupta describes the change as a rethink rather than an abandonment of the American dream, and says some established Indian professionals are considering EB-5.
Alternative study destinations
Reasons to reconsider U.S. plans
The article cites a Reuters report saying European tuition can be roughly 50–80% lower than in the U.S., with lower living costs also reducing expenses.
Reasons plans may continue
The article does not say that lower-cost destinations have replaced the U.S. for all Indian students or professionals.
Key facts
- Green Card guidance
- Revised guidance took effect September 18; most applicants seeking to adjust status remain subject to a public charge assessment.
- Applicants covered
- The article says the assessment applies across many family- and employment-based categories, including certain diversity visa applicants.
- H-1B application fee
- $100,000 for new H-1B visa applications, according to the article.
- H-1B selection
- A wage-weighted selection system is planned for FY2027.
- Indian student outflow
- Roughly 626,000 in 2025, compared with 908,000 in 2023, according to government data cited in the article.
- EB-5 investment
- The article says regional center applicants invest $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area, with a requirement of 10 jobs per investor.
- EB-5 work authorization
- Applicants working in the U.S. may concurrently file for an Employment Authorization Document with an EB-5 application, according to Gupta.
Quotes
Piyush Gupta
Vice President for India and the Middle East at CanAm Enterprises
“EB-5 investment under the regional centre programme requires applicants to invest $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area, which should then result in 10 jobs per investor.”
livemint.com
“It's more of a rethink rather than abandonment by Indian professionals.”
livemint.com
