Indians will now have to wait 179 years for green cards, while Chinese will have to wait 25 years due to tightened rules under Trump.

Indian professionals in the United States will now have to wait 179 years to receive their green cards. This is due to the Donald Trump administration's strict restrictions on issuing identification documents confirming legal permanent resident status in the United States. This document, known as a green card, grants a person the right to legally live, study, and work in the country. Currently, the total waiting list for green cards has reached 1,2 million people, according to New York Post.

A new report from the National Foundation for American Policy says federal immigration law caps the issuance of green cards at 140,000 per year, with no more than 7% going to any one country.

This means immigrants from large countries such as India and China are forced to wait decades to become lawful permanent residents of the United States.

On the subject: In September, green card applicants will be penalized for using benefits.

According to the data, a Chinese citizen applying for a green card under the EB-2 category (which is primarily intended for skilled workers with a master's degree) could wait approximately 25 years.

For Indian workers, the National Foundation for American Policy estimates the wait is 179 years, while for Filipino workers it is just a few months.

The longest timeframes for the prestigious EB-1 category (granted to individuals with extraordinary ability) are about four to five years for Indian citizens and about five years for applicants from China.

The National Foundation for American Policy believes that such waiting periods make it difficult for American employers to hire and retain foreign-born workers and place additional burdens on immigrant families.

"Many Americans don't realize how difficult it is to legally immigrate to the United States, even for the most highly skilled and innovative professionals," said Stuart Anderson, executive director of the foundation. "These are people who want to become Americans and are willing to wait years for that chance."

For holders of H-1B temporary work visas, which are most often awarded to tech workers, waiting for a green card means they are effectively trapped in the "H-1B trap," where they are forced to remain in highly specialized occupations where their employer sponsors their application.

If such a person loses his job, he has only 60 days to find a new one or leave the country.

The Trump administration says it plans to impose a $103,000 administrative fee for H-1B visa applications, further complicating matters as federal authorities have already reduced the number of such visa holders in the country.

Kevin Lynn, executive director of the Washington-based Institute for Sound Policy, who opposes the H-1B visa system, argues that the current model allows American companies to hire foreign workers and pay them less than Americans, which negatively impacts the situation of job seekers in the United States.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York

"We don't need these tech professionals," he said. "These work visa programs, which have led to the current gridlock, have negatively impacted American innovation and ingenuity. If you don't want to end up in that queue, don't come to the United States, don't participate. This is a conscious choice for everyone."

Read also on ForumDaily:

ICE is holding a man with stage 4 cancer despite having a green card.

A US passport for a child is only available after confirming the parents' status: The State Department wants to introduce a new rule.

How the Trump administration restricted legal immigration to the US

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.