Senator Marshall vows to end US green card caps for Indians

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall announced a legislative push to end the per-country cap on employment-based green cards, a move that would significantly reduce wait times for Indian professionals. The current system limits each country to 7% of total employment-based green cards, causing decades-long backlogs for applicants from high-demand nations like India.

Marshall, a Republican from Kansas, framed the proposal as a way to attract and retain skilled workers who contribute to the U.S. economy. He argued that the caps are outdated and harm American competitiveness by forcing talented individuals to leave or wait indefinitely.

The bill would eliminate the per-country limit entirely for employment-based green cards, allowing applicants to be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Indian nationals make up the largest group affected by the backlog, with some facing waits of over 50 years.

The proposal has drawn support from tech industry groups and immigration reform advocates, who say it would help U.S. companies fill critical roles. However, it faces opposition from some lawmakers who argue it could reduce diversity in immigration.

Marshall said he plans to introduce the legislation in the coming weeks and will seek bipartisan co-sponsors. The bill's prospects remain uncertain in a divided Congress.