Three Major U.S. Immigration Reforms in Two Months to Significantly Impact Indians: Work Permits, H-1B Visas, and Green Cards

washington, D.C.: In a span of just two months, the United States has rolled out three major immigration reforms that could drastically reshape the future of thousands of Indian professionals, students, and Green Card holders living in the country. These changes, introduced by the Trump administration, include the termination of automatic Employment Authorization Document (EAD) extensions, a massive $100,000 annual H-1B visa fee hike, and a new, tougher civics test for Green Card holders seeking U.S. citizenship.

The administration claims these moves are aimed at protecting American workers and ensuring that “immigration benefits are not misused.” However, for the Indian diaspora – the largest group of foreign tech workers in the U.S. – these policies represent a significant setback in career stability and long–term residency prospects.

Overview of the Three Major U.S. Immigration Reforms

Since President Donald Trump’s second term began, his administration has been pushing an aggressive immigration reform agenda. Within just 60 days, three critical decisions have been implemented that collectively impact millions of legal migrants – particularly from India.

1. DHS Ends Automatic Work Permit (EAD) Extensions

On October 30, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officially discontinued automatic extensions of certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), causing widespread concern among immigrants and employers alike.

Previously, visa holders – including spouses of H-1B workers (H-4 visa holders), F-1 students on Optional Practical Training (OPT), and asylum seekers – could continue working while their renewal applications were being processed. With the new rule, all renewals will now require additional screening before approval, effectively creating long waiting periods.

Immigration experts warn that since EAD processing can take up to 7–10 months, thousands of Indians could face forced work interruptions or even job termination. DHS claims the move is intended to “improve vetting and reduce Fraud,” but advocates argue that it disproportionately harms legal, skilled migrants who are already contributing to the U.S. economy.

2. Massive $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee Increase

Just a month earlier, the Trump administration had triggered panic among employers and visa applicants by announcing an unprecedented annual H-1B visa fee of USD 100,000 (₹88 lakh approx.). The policy applies to new H-1B petitions filed on or after September 21, 2025, for applicants located outside the U.S. without valid H-1B status.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) clarified that employers – not visa applicants – are responsible for paying the fee. Applicants already present in the U.S. or changing their visa status (for instance, from F-1 to H-1B) are exempt.

This hike, however, could discourage American firms from sponsoring foreign workers. In fact, Walmart, one of the largest U.S. employers, has already paused recruitment of candidates requiring H-1B sponsorship following the announcement.

Given that over 70% of H-1B visa holders are Indians, especially in the IT and engineering sectors, this new rule could severely limit opportunities for skilled professionals seeking U.S. employment in 2026 and beyond.

3. Green Card Holders Face Stricter U.S. Citizenship Test

On October 20, 2025, the USCIS introduced a revamped civics test for Green Card holders applying for naturalization. Under the new guidelines, applicants must now answer at least 12 of 20 questions correctly (drawn from a pool of 128 questions) compared to the previous requirement of 6 out of 10.

Moreover, USCIS officers have been instructed to give greater weight to an applicant’s “moral character assessment”, making the overall naturalization process tougher and lengthier. Those aged 65 and above who have held permanent residency for 20 years or more will still be eligible for a simplified version of the test.

During the last fiscal year, nearly 49,700 Indians became U.S. citizens – the second-largest group of naturalized individuals – indicating how significantly this rule could affect future applicants.

Additional Border and Screening Changes

Alongside these reforms, the Trump administration has implemented new border surveillance measures mandating that all foreign nationals – including Green Card holders – be photographed upon entry and exit. This move, officials say, aims to improve immigration tracking and security enforcement.

However, critics argue that these layered restrictions, combined with higher visa costs and tighter citizenship eligibility, reflect an overarching strategy to discourage legal immigration under the pretext of protecting domestic labor.

Broader Impact on Indian Professionals and Students

These three U.S. reforms are likely to have a profound effect on Indian IT professionals, international students, and families of H-1B workers. Delays in work authorization renewals could lead to job loss, visa fee hikes may discourage corporate sponsorships, and longer naturalization pathways could reduce long-term settlement prospects.

The U.S. Department of Labor recently reinforced this stance by publishing an advertisement accusing certain corporations of abusing the H-1B program to replace American workers – specifically highlighting India as the biggest beneficiary of the system.

Together, these moves underscore the administration’s ongoing effort to reshape America’s immigration landscape – one that increasingly challenges the aspirations of skilled Indian migrants who have long been a vital part of the U.S. workforce.

Conclusion: A Testing Time for Indian Immigrants in America

The trio of immigration reforms – from halting automatic work permit renewals to escalating H-1B costs and tightening naturalization rules – collectively mark one of the most restrictive phases in recent U.S. immigration history.

For tens of thousands of Indians studying, working, or aspiring to settle in the U.S., these policies pose fresh hurdles to stability and opportunity. As experts and advocacy groups call for reconsideration, the changes highlight the growing tension between America’s economic reliance on foreign talent and its tightening political stance on immigration.