Fri Mar 07 09:40:30 UTC 2025: ## Over 100,000 Indian Children Face Deportation from US Due to Visa Backlog

**Washington D.C.** – More than 100,000 children of Indian H-1B visa holders in the United States are at risk of deportation, according to a report citing data from March 2023. These children, who arrived in the US on dependent visas, “age out” of their H-4 visa status upon turning 21, leaving them vulnerable to self-deportation even if their parents have pending green card applications.

The lengthy green card backlog, currently estimated at 1.07 million Indians in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories, contributes significantly to the problem. This backlog is projected to take 134 years to clear. With green card processing times exceeding the children’s 21st birthdays, many find themselves facing deportation despite having grown up in the US.

Dip Patel, Founder and President of Improve The Dream, a grassroots organization supporting these young immigrants, explains that to avoid formal deportation procedures, many choose to leave the country or seek alternative immigration pathways. The precarious situation is exacerbated by the uncertain future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, currently facing legal challenges.

The issue highlights the difficulties faced by families navigating the US immigration system, particularly under the current climate of immigration enforcement. The sheer number of affected children underscores the urgent need for immigration reform to address the crippling green card backlog and provide a more humane path to legal residency for these long-term residents.

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