Fri Mar 07 11:02:06 UTC 2025: ## Thousands of Indian Minors Face Deportation as US H-4 Visas Expire

**Washington D.C.** – Thousands of Indian nationals who immigrated to the United States as minors under the H-4 visa program face an uncertain future. As they reach the age of 21, they lose their dependent status tied to their H-1B visa-holding parents, leaving them vulnerable to deportation. This issue is exacerbated by the significant backlog in the US employment-based green card system, disproportionately affecting Indian immigrants.

Many affected individuals are now considering emigration to countries with more lenient immigration policies, such as Canada and the UK. The situation has prompted calls for immigration reform.

Dip Patel, Founder and President of Improve the Dream, a grassroots organization advocating for these young immigrants, highlighted the problem of “self-deportation,” where individuals avoid official deportation proceedings by leaving the country to prevent documented removal. He estimates that approximately 10,000 individuals face this predicament annually, many of whom have spent their entire lives in the US and are highly skilled professionals in STEM and healthcare.

Patel discussed the recently introduced “America’s Children Act,” a bipartisan bill aimed at addressing this issue. The act would provide a pathway to citizenship for those who have lived lawfully in the US as children, attended college, and met other criteria. It would also preserve their place in line for green cards, preventing their applications from being dismissed due to age.

While the bill offers a glimmer of hope, the ongoing backlog in green card applications remains a major hurdle. Patel clarified that concerns about a potential “immigration crackdown” primarily pertain to illegal immigration and not those who have maintained legal status. He also addressed the uncertainty surrounding a potential two-year extension policy similar to DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), which currently faces legal challenges.

The situation underscores the urgent need for immigration reform in the US, particularly concerning the significant backlog and the impact on highly skilled legal immigrants who contribute significantly to the American economy. The upcoming registration period for H-1B visas for fiscal year 2026, opening March 7th, further highlights the complexities of the US immigration system.

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