How New U.S. Immigration Rules in 2025 Matter for Indians Already in the U.S.

Baking AI
Nov 26
4 min read

Updated: Nov 27

Indian professionals and families affected by new U.S. immigration rules

Recent immigration policy changes under Donald Trump are affecting many Indians living in America. These changes affect visas, green-card applications, work permits, and long-term legal stability.

Many of the impacts are serious for Indian families, tech professionals, students, spouses, dependents, and immigrants on the path to U.S. citizenship.

Key Changes Under the New Rules

Higher cost for visa applications

The fee for a new H-1B visa petition is now US $100,000 for employers. Previously, the cost was roughly US $1,500.
This makes it far more expensive for U.S. firms to hire foreign skilled workers, including many Indians.

Stricter scrutiny and enforcement

The U.S. Department of Labour has launched a program called Project Firewall. It aims to crack down on the misuse of H-1B work visas. Companies hiring foreign workers are being more closely monitored for compliance.
The crackdown aims to ensure foreign-hired workers are paid fairly and that visas are used properly. Violations may lead to penalties like wage repayment or program debarment.

Work authorisation under threat for dependents and green-card seekers

The administration ended the automatic extension of Employment Authorisation Document (EAD) for visa holders awaiting renewal or green-card processing. That extension had previously given a 540-day grace period.
Without an EAD extension, many dependents (for example, spouses of H-1B visa holders) might lose legal work authorisation if renewal is delayed.

Stricter eligibility rules for permanent residence

A proposed change to the “public charge” rule could make many immigrants ineligible for a green card if authorities believe they may become dependent on government support. This may affect those applying for permanent residence now or in future.
The new rule expands the criteria used to assess whether someone might become a burden on the state by including broader factors like health, family background, education, economic history, and use of benefits.

Increased costs even for travel or temporary entries

Some immigration- and border-related fees are being raised for the fiscal year 2026. For example, the parole fee will rise from US $1000 to US $1020.

What It Means for Indians Already in the U.S.

Many Indians living in the U.S.—especially tech professionals, their families, and immigrants seeking green cards—face growing uncertainty:

Employers, facing higher costs and compliance risks, may reduce job opportunities for skilled Indian workers.
Families depending on dual incomes (for example, H-1B worker + spouse on EAD) now face risk: if the spouse loses work authorisation due to EAD delays, household income may shrink.
People waiting for green cards may find new hurdles. Even legally permanent-residence seekers may be judged ineligible under the revised public charge rule.
Indian immigrants may look for alternative paths to secure residency or work eligibility, such as self-petition visa categories rather than employer-sponsored ones.

Indeed, many Indians are reportedly shifting toward the EB-1A visa route (for individuals with “extraordinary ability”) because it allows self-petition and avoids some of the new employer-sponsored visa uncertainties.

What Paths Remain: Possible Routes for Stability

If you are already in the U.S. or planning to move there, these are some visa or immigration paths still available via legal channels. You could use internal links to learn more about each (on the services page):

Visitor/Temporary visas — see Visitor Visa.
Employer-sponsored visas like H-1B (with challenges but still valid) — see Green Card if moving from temporary to permanent residence.
Permanent residence / green card / naturalisation via various categories — see U.S. Citizenship & Naturalisation / Green Card.
Family-based immigration: spouse/fiancé(e), parents, children, siblings — see Spouse & Fiancé(e) Visas; Parents, Children & Siblings.
For those already with conditional residence: process to remove conditions — see Removing Conditions on Residence (I-751).
Humanitarian categories, if applicable: Asylum; U Visa (Victims of Crime); T Visa (Human Trafficking Survivors); VAWA; SIJ.

What This Means for the U.S., Its Workforce and Immigration Landscape

The stricter immigration rules under Trump aim to protect domestic workers from displacement. The government argues the H-1B programme was being misused.
Critics say limiting immigrant workers will hurt innovation, research, and sectors—like technology, medicine, and academia—that rely heavily on foreign talent.
Many skilled immigrants and their families may feel insecure about their future. This may discourage new immigrants and push some already in the U.S. to leave or change their plans.

What Indians in the U.S. Should Consider Doing

Review your current visa status, work authorisation, and upcoming renewal/green-card applications.
If you are on an H-1B or a dependent visa, consider alternate paths such as self-petition visas (like EB-1A) to reduce reliance on employer-sponsored visas.
If you’re applying for permanent residence, check whether you may be affected by the new “public charge” evaluation.
Stay updated on processing times and rule changes from the authorities. Factor delays into financial and career planning.
Seek legal or immigration-consultation support if you plan to adjust status, apply for a green card, or switch visas—especially under changing rules.