U.S. Clamps Down On Visa Rules Under Trump Presidency
The U.S. government has tightened its visa rules ever since Donald Trump returned to office. Indians will not be able to apply for the U.S. Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery until 2028 as part of these new provisions. According to official sources, the Green Card Lottery selects candidates from countries that have experienced low immigration to the U.S. in the past five years. It is under this policy that it aims to provide fair opportunities to immigrants from the less represented nations.
High Indian Immigration Exceeds Eligibility Criteria
India's figures of immigrants to the U.S. have exceeded eligibility limits for the DV program. Officials further explain that this is the main reason behind India's suspension until 2028. Figures show that:
- In 2021, 93,450 Indians entered the U.S.
- In 2022, the number increased to 127,010.
- In 2023, 78,070 Indians emigrated to the U.S.
These figures are higher than South American immigration statistics (99,030), African (89,570), and European (75,610) during the period. Officially, officials reasoned India will continue to be ineligible to enter the Diversity Visa Lottery for the next few years.
Other Countries Also Excluded
India is not the only country to be included in this policy. China, South Korea, Canada, and Pakistan will also remain ineligible for the lottery through 2026. The hope is for a more balanced immigration spread across the globe and to give other nations access to U.S. residency.
New Parole Fee Fixed at $1,000
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently released a new rule increasing the parole fee to $1,000. Parole allows foreign nationals entry and temporary residence in the U.S. without a visa, usually in emergency or exceptional cases.
The increase in fees is one of the provisions in the newly floated "Big Beautiful Bill" by the Trump administration. The new fee is applicable for:
- Initial parole
- Re-parole
- Parole in place
- Parole from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) detention
Candidates must pay this fee, along with other filing or biometric fees. Immigration officials will allow parole only when payment is made within the stated timeframe.
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