Indian professionals in the United States are facing growing uncertainty due to new USCIS policies and rising processing delays. Immigration experts warn that many workers could soon face gaps in work authorisation. The issue is especially serious for H-4 EAD holders and green card applicants.
According to immigration attorneys, Employment Authorization Document renewal cases are now taking up to 13.5 months for approval. Applicants are allowed to file renewals only six months before expiry. This creates a major risk of losing valid work authorisation while waiting for approvals.
The situation became more difficult after the Department of Homeland Security ended automatic EAD extensions in October last year. Earlier, eligible applicants could continue working for up to 540 days while their renewal applications remained under review. That relief is no longer available for many workers.
Houston-based immigration lawyer Steven Brown recently raised concerns over the growing delays. He warned that legal workers who follow all immigration rules may still end up losing their jobs. According to Brown, applicants are trapped between strict filing limits and lengthy processing timelines.
The Trump administration has defended stricter immigration checks by citing national security concerns. However, immigration experts believe the current delays are creating unnecessary hardships for workers and families. Many applicants are struggling to maintain employment stability despite remaining legally compliant.
Indian professionals are expected to face some of the biggest challenges under the current system. H-4 spouses and green card applicants often depend heavily on EAD renewals to continue their careers in the United States. Long waiting periods could impact incomes, careers, and employer confidence.
Several workers fear employers may not be willing to wait for delayed approvals. As processing times continue to increase, uncertainty around job continuity has become a major concern. Immigration attorneys are now urging authorities to address the growing backlog and reduce delays quickly.
