US bill seeks to end H‑1B green card route, raising concerns for Indians

A bill introduced in the US Congress aims to end the route from H-1B visas to permanent residency, a change that has sparked concern among Indian professionals who rely on this pathway. The legislation would remove the ability for H-1B holders to adjust their status to lawful permanent residence while in the United States.

If enacted, the bill would require H-1B workers to leave the US and apply for green cards from their home countries, potentially disrupting the careers and lives of hundreds of thousands of Indian tech workers. The H-1B visa program is heavily used by Indian nationals, who account for roughly 70% of all H-1B recipients annually.

Supporters of the bill argue it would protect American jobs and prevent abuse of the visa system. Critics, however, say it would harm US competitiveness by driving away skilled talent and creating backlogs that could take decades to clear.

The bill faces an uncertain path in Congress, where immigration reform has been a contentious issue for years. Indian advocacy groups have already begun mobilizing to oppose the measure, urging lawmakers to preserve the current green card process for H-1B holders.