How new US immigration bill could ease Green Card path for Indian H-1B visa holders

As the Trump administration intensifies its immigration enforcement, California Senator Alex Padilla has renewed his push for legislation that could provide millions of long-term US residents, including Indian H-1B visa holders, with a fresh pathway to permanent residency.According to Padilla's office, the Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929, which he first introduced last year, would update the decades-old Registry provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act by replacing its fixed eligibility date of January 1, 1972, with a rolling requirement.Under the proposal, an immigrant could apply for lawful permanent resident (Green Card) status if they:Have lived continuously in the US for at least seven years before filing the applicationHave no criminal recordMeet all other existing Green Card eligibility requirements"A year ago, I introduced this bill to push back against the Trump Administration's cruel treatment of hardworking immigrants," Padilla said while announcing the legislation."Congress cannot continue to ignore millions of long-term residents who contribute to our economy and communities every day. It's past time to modernize our immigration laws and create a fair pathway to lawful permanent residency."Why it matters to IndiansThe proposal is significant for Indian professionals, who account for a large share of H-1B visa holders in the United States and face some of the longest waits for employment-based Green Cards because of annual per-country limits.If enacted, the bill could provide an alternative route to permanent residency for eligible long-term residents who have spent years renewing temporary work visas while waiting for employment-based Green Cards.It could also benefit children of long-term visa holders, many of whom risk losing dependent status after turning 21, as well as other highly skilled workers caught in the backlog.Padilla's office said the legislation could benefit more than eight million people, including Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status holders, essential workers, children of long-term visa holders and highly skilled workers such as H-1B visa holders.The bill is co-led by Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, has 14 Democratic co-sponsors, and has companion legislation in the House led by Zoe Lofgren.However, its prospects remain uncertain. With Republicans largely backing tougher immigration measures under President Trump, the legislation faces significant political hurdles before it can pass both chambers of Congress and be signed into law. Until then, it remains a proposal rather than a guaranteed solution for Indian H-1B workers waiting for permanent residency.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.