Ever since Donald Trump returned to the White House for a second term, his administration has rolled out a series of tough immigration measures aimed at curbing migrant inflow and “protecting American workers.”
In just two months, three major policy changes have been announced; all of which will have a major impact on Indian professionals and students living in the United States.
The three rules include ending automatic renewal of Employment Authorisation Documents (EADs), hiking H-1B visa fees to $100,000, and tightening citizenship norms for Green Card holders.
Together, these moves mark one of the most restrictive phases for Indian immigrants in recent years.
On Wednesday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) abruptly ended the automatic extension of EADs, a move that shocked immigrant communities and legal experts alike.
The change means that migrants who file to renew their EADs on or after October 30, 2025, will no longer receive an automatic extension. Each renewal will now require fresh background checks before approval.
This rule hits Indian families particularly hard, as H-1B visa holders’ spouses and F-1 students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) rely heavily on EADs to work legally in the US.
Immigration experts warn that the decision could lead to job losses, since EAD renewals often take 7 to 10 months to process, leaving workers in limbo.
The decision follows Trump’s earlier September 19 order imposing a massive $100,000 (₹88 lakh) annual application fee for new H-1B visa petitions; a move that caused panic in India’s tech industry.
The USCIS later clarified that the fee applies only to petitions for workers outside the US who do not already hold a valid visa.
The rule does not apply to those changing status within the country, such as students moving from F-1 to H-1B. Even so, the fee increase has put enormous pressure on US-based employers, many of whom rely heavily on Indian talent.
Retail giant Walmart reportedly paused its H-1B hiring program following the announcement, reflecting growing corporate unease over the administration’s immigration stance.
In another major change, the USCIS introduced a new and tougher civics test for Green Card holders applying for citizenship from October 20, 2025.
Applicants must now answer 20 questions out of a pool of 128 and get at least 12 correct to pass. Previously, they needed to answer only six out of ten. Applicants who fail the test twice will be denied citizenship.
The new rule also emphasizes an applicant’s “good moral character” and includes additional vetting procedures. Green Card holders aged 65 and above who have lived in the US for at least 20 years will be eligible for a simplified version of the test.
To top it off, the Trump administration has also announced new border security regulations, requiring all non-US citizens; including Green Card holders; to be photographed when entering or leaving the country.
From ending automatic work permit renewals to raising visa costs and tightening citizenship exams, these sweeping policy shifts are part of Trump’s broader push to restrict immigration.
The US Department of Labor recently reinforced this stance by releasing an ad accusing companies of misusing the H-1B program to replace American workers; specifically pointing to India as the largest beneficiary.
For Indian professionals, students, and families in the US, these back-to-back changes signal a period of uncertainty; one where getting a visa, keeping a job, or even securing permanent residency just got a lot tougher.
