Harris or Trump: Who has the best plan for Indian immigrants in America? – News about investing abroad

By Mohak Nahta

Like the US Choice The day approaches, many enter India keep an eye on how the results could reshape immigration policies. For Indians seeking opportunities in the US through work, study or family connections, the clash between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump presents two distinctly different approaches.

Let’s look at how each candidate’s stance could potentially impact Indian citizens for years to come.

H-1B visas

Under the Trump administration, eligibility has been tightened and salary thresholds raised, increasing denial rates from 6 percent in 2015 to 24 percent in 2018. Harris, meanwhile, has previously supported raising the annual cap on H-1B visas, currently limited to 65,000 regular visas and another 20,000 for applicants with advanced degrees from US institutions.

Family-based immigration

The Trump administration has proposed a shift to a merit-based system that prioritizes skills over family ties, limiting immigration primarily to spouses and minor children.

Harris advocates for family reunification, but with more than 1 million Indians stuck on remaining family-based visas from 2023, concerns remain about her ability to address these challenges.

Employment-based green cards

Indian nationals on non-STEM H-1B visas currently face wait times of up to 84 years for employment-based green cards with Trump’s merit-based points system. On the other hand, Harris co-sponsored the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act, which seeks to eliminate country-based caps.

Student visas and OPT

Indian students contribute $7.6 billion annually to the US economy. The Trump administration has increased scrutiny of F-1 student visas and proposed limits on optional practical training (OPT). Meanwhile, Harris may advocate extending the OPT period for STEM graduates from 36 months to potentially longer durations, allowing Indian students more time to gain hands-on experience.

Investment and entrepreneurship visas

The EB-5 program has attracted Indian investors eager to contribute to US economic growth. Under Trump, the minimum investment for EB-5 visas increased from $500,000 to $900,000, targeting high-value investments. While Harris generally supports entrepreneurship, her record on entrepreneur visa reform remains sparse, casting uncertainty over the future of Indian investors.

Tourism and short-term visas

Trump’s focus on security has led to increased scrutiny and longer processing times for short-term tourist visas, with averages rising from 28 days in 2017 to 88 days by 2022. Harris’ position indicates he may prioritize accessibility, but its past actions could temper expectations for significant change.

Hopeful but pragmatic expectations

While Harris and Trump offer distinct visions for immigration, neither presents a clear path to reform. Harris’s ideals promise inclusion and support for immigrants, but her limited record of progress as vice president tempers expectations of sweeping change.

Instead, Trump’s policies reflect a focus on prioritizing US jobs and security, with fewer pathways for new immigrants and tighter restrictions on those already in the system.

For many Indian aspirants, hope remains that visa processes will become more predictable and less restrictive, although meaningful reforms by individual applicants may remain limited by political and logistical realities.

This election will likely set the course for US immigration policy for years to come, affecting not only American citizens, but also countless people around the world who seek opportunities and connections in the United States.

(The author is the founder and CEO of atlys)

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