Indian-American Children Face Deportation Risk Amid Green Card Backlog

Over 250,000 children of legal immigrants, particularly Indian-Americans, are facing the threat of deportation due to “aging out” as they turn 21. These individuals, known as “Documented Dreamers,” came to the U.S. with their parents on temporary work visas but now face a precarious future. This article delves into the legislative and personal impacts of this issue.

Legislative Context

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) defines a child as someone who is both unmarried and under 21 years old. However, if an individual turns 21 before their green card application is approved, they are no longer considered a child for immigration purposes. This issue is commonly referred to as “aging out,” leading to potential deportation or lengthy wait times for green card approval.

According to a study by the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP), over 1.2 million Indians, including dependents, are currently awaiting green cards in EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 categories. This backlog exacerbates the risk for Documented Dreamers.

White House Response

The White House has attributed the legislative stalemate to Republican opposition. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre criticized Republicans for voting down a bipartisan agreement twice, which aimed to address the Documented Dreamer crisis.

Congressional Appeal

On June 13, 43 lawmakers, led by Senator Alex Padilla and Representative Deborah Ross, urged the Biden Administration to take urgent action. They highlighted that these young people grow up in the U.S., complete their education here, and yet face uncertainty due to the green card backlog.

Stories of Struggle

Jefrina: Arrived in the U.S. at age 7, now a graduate student in Minnesota. Jefrina shared her struggles of navigating temporary visa solutions to avoid deportation, expressing the emotional toll as she nears graduation.

Praneetha: A cloud engineer in Texas who has lived in the U.S. for over 15 years but faces uncertainty regarding her residency status due to the aging out issue.

Roshan: Moved to the U.S. at age 10 and was forced to leave last month after aging out in 2019. Despite spending nearly 16 years in the U.S., Roshan now faces deportation.

Dwarkesh Patel: A podcaster who shared his family’s experience of aging out. His story highlights the personal impact of immigration policies and the uncertainty faced by many Indian-American families.

The plight of Documented Dreamers underscores a critical issue within the U.S. immigration system. As legislative solutions remain elusive, the future of over 250,000 children hangs in the balance. Advocacy groups and lawmakers continue to push for action to protect these individuals and provide them with the stability they need.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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