‘Not Just About India’: Marco Rubio Defends New US Immigration Policy

New Delhi: Discussion has intensified across the world regarding America's new immigration policy. A lot of concern is being expressed about this decision, especially in India, because a large number of Indian professionals and students depend on green cards and work visas in America. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended the new policy of the Trump administration and said that this decision has not been taken targeting any one country, especially India.

What changed in America's new immigration policy?

In an interview given after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rubio said that America has been facing the problem of large-scale illegal migration and abuse of the immigration system for the last several years. According to him, there were many flaws in the existing system, due to which the green card process had become very slow and complicated. This is the reason why the Trump administration is now making changes in the entire system. 

What are the new guidelines?

Under the new guidelines, most foreign citizens may now have to return to their country of origin to apply for a green card. Earlier, many people used to complete the 'Adjustment of Status' process while living in America, but now this will be considered an exception rather than the general rule. Every case will be investigated separately and a decision will be taken on that basis.

This policy is likely to have the biggest impact on Indian IT professionals, H-1B visa holders and students. Indians have the highest number of applicants for employment-based green cards in America. In such a situation, the plans of thousands of people may be affected by the new process. Many experts in the tech industry have also expressed concern that this could make it difficult to retain talented foreign workers in America.

How much will Indians be affected?

This change is expected to have the biggest impact on Indian professionals and students, because Indians are the largest number of people applying for employment-based green cards in America. Many experts and entrepreneurs associated with the tech industry have also expressed concern over this policy.

However, Rubio claimed that in the long run this arrangement will prove beneficial for Indians also. He said that in the future America's immigration system will become faster, more transparent, and more effective.