In a massive blow to Indian immigrants seeking permanent residency in the United States, the EB-2 visa category has been retrogressed, effectively halting the process for many applicants. The retrogression was announced by the US Department of State on March 25th, 2023.
The EB-2 visa category is for professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability in their field, and is a popular option for Indians seeking employment-based green cards. However, due to the high demand for this visa category from Indian applicants, the annual quota has been exceeded, leading to the retrogression.
More About Retrogression
The retrogression means that Indian applicants in the EB-2 category will no longer be able to apply for or receive their green cards, even if they have been waiting in the queue for several years. The move is likely to affect tens of thousands of Indian applicants who have been patiently waiting for their green cards.
This is not the first time that the EB-2 visa category has been retrogressed for Indian applicants. In fact, this is the fifth time in the last decade that the category has been retrogressed due to high demand. However, the current retrogression is expected to be the longest and most severe yet, with estimates suggesting that it could last for several years.
The news of the retrogression has been met with disappointment and frustration from the Indian immigrant community in the US. Many have taken to social media to express their concerns and share their stories of waiting for years for their green cards.
Immigration experts have advised affected applicants to explore other visa categories, such as the EB-1 or EB-3 categories, or to consider alternative routes to permanent residency, such as the EB-5 investor visa.
The retrogression has also sparked renewed calls for immigration reform in the US, particularly in light of the Biden administration’s promises to create a more fair and just immigration system. Advocacy groups are calling on Congress to increase the annual quotas for employment-based visas and to eliminate the per-country cap that, has long been a source of frustration for Indian immigrants. The retrogression is yet another reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive immigration reform in the US.
