Donald Trump’s doomed immigration plan helps, harms Indian hopefuls

US president Donald Trump on Thursday unveiled an immigration overhaul plan that favours merit, age, professional skills, education and proficiency in the English language over family ties for Green Cards, the last and final step towards American citizenship.

If enacted into law, chances of which range between nil and dim, young, qualified, professional English-speaking Indian applicants will stand a better chance of qualifying for Green Card — going through the H-1B route — than those banking on familial ties to relatives such as children, spouses, siblings, parents or even grandparents.

Of the 1.1 million Green Cards issued every year now, 66% go to relatives and 21% to asylum seekers and those picked in a visa lottery. Only 12% go to those seeking permanent residency through employment. President Trump intends to reverse that and take that 12% number to 57% or higher.