The Trump administration's decision to halt the processing of Green Cards for certain immigrants, including approved refugees, is a significant policy shift that could have far-reaching consequences, particularly for Indian asylum seekers. According to a report by CBS News, requests for legal permanent residency submitted by individuals who had already been granted asylum or refugee status have been suspended as part of the administration’s broader efforts to tighten immigration policies. This move is expected to impact thousands of individuals who have legally entered the United States and were awaiting final approval to transition from asylum status to lawful permanent residency.
The decision comes at a time when asylum applications from Indian nationals have surged dramatically. Data from Johns Hopkins University shows that in 2023, more than 51,000 Indians applied for asylum in the US—a staggering 466% increase from 9,000 applicants in 2018. This sharp rise reflects changing immigration patterns and the increasing number of Indian nationals seeking refuge in the United States under the country’s asylum laws. Many of these applicants have cited political persecution, religious intolerance, and economic hardship in India as reasons for seeking asylum.
The US asylum system allows undocumented individuals, including those apprehended at the border, to apply for protection if they can demonstrate a credible fear of persecution in their home country. Once granted asylum, individuals undergo a long and rigorous process that includes security screenings, medical evaluations, and multiple interviews with immigration officers or judges before being formally recognized as asylees. Traditionally, after holding asylum status for at least one year, these individuals become eligible to apply for a Green Card, which grants them permanent residency in the US. However, with the Trump administration's new directive, even those who have already been approved for asylum are now facing an uncertain future, as their Green Card applications remain on hold.
The Trump administration has long sought to restrict both legal and illegal immigration through executive actions. Since assuming office on January 20, Trump has implemented a series of controversial measures aimed at reducing the number of immigrants entering and staying in the country. These include suspending the refugee admission process, closing the US-Mexico border to asylum seekers, and rolling back protections for individuals fleeing violence and persecution. Many of these policies have faced legal challenges in federal courts.
For instance, a federal judge ruled on March 28 that the administration could not deport individuals to third countries without conducting proper safety reviews. Despite such legal pushback, Trump has continued to expand his immigration enforcement efforts. The recent freeze on Green Cards aligns with two executive orders issued by the administration. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that the pause in processing Green Card applications is part of an enhanced screening and vetting procedure designed to identify potential fraud, public safety risks, and national security threats.
One of Trump’s executive orders has also led to the State Department classifying certain Mexican cartels and transnational gangs, such as Tren de Aragua, as foreign terrorist organizations. The administration argues that these groups pose a significant threat to national security and that stricter immigration policies are necessary to prevent criminals from exploiting the asylum system.
In February, the Trump administration took further steps to curb immigration by suspending applications from all Latin Americans and Ukrainians who entered the US through Biden-era programs. Additionally, the government has introduced new requirements for immigrants applying for Green Cards, asylum, or US citizenship, mandating them to provide access to their social media accounts as part of the vetting process. This move has raised concerns among civil rights advocates, who argue that monitoring social media activity infringes on privacy rights and could be used to target specific groups.
Meanwhile, reports have surfaced about the deportation and self-deportation of students, including Indians, who have been linked to campus protests. Columbia University student Ranjani Srinivasan reportedly chose to self-deport to Canada, while another Indian researcher, Badar Khan Suri, faced deportation proceedings over alleged ties to Hamas. However, a judge recently blocked his deportation, citing insufficient evidence to justify his removal from the US.
Critics of the new Green Card policy argue that it unfairly punishes individuals who have already undergone extensive vetting. Laura Collins, director of the Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative, told NBC News that asylum seekers and refugees are among the most thoroughly screened immigrants in the US. "There’s a certain amount of documentation you have to provide as a refugee as well as an asylee," she said. "All of these people who are approved for resettlement or to remain in the United States, that’s because the United States government has already approved them to be here."
The new policy creates additional uncertainty for asylum seekers who are on the path to permanent residency. Under normal circumstances, an asylee must wait a year before applying for a Green Card, after which they can eventually qualify for US citizenship. However, the administration’s decision to pause these applications could extend wait times indefinitely, leaving many refugees in limbo.
This move is expected to have a disproportionate impact on Indian asylum seekers, given their increasing numbers in recent years. While the administration claims that additional screening is necessary to prevent fraud and ensure national security, critics argue that the delays will only create further obstacles for genuine refugees who have already met the legal requirements for asylum. As legal battles over immigration policies continue, thousands of asylum seekers, including Indians, remain uncertain about their future in the United States.
