MUMBAI: Documented Dreamers (children of parents on mostly work visas like H-1B) still have hope for anti-aging protection. The recent announcement by the White House and the US Department of Homeland Security does not cover those children who have reached the age of 21 and either must upgrade from a dependent visa to an international student (F1) visa or must self-deport to India or another country.
The Biden administration recently announced a novel path to enduring residency for undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens (green card). The announcement also included a proposal to make it easier for dreamers (does not apply to documented dreamers) who have diplomas from an accredited American university and a job offer from an American employer related to their diploma. The Biden administration plans to ease the path for such people to obtain employment-based nonimmigrant visa status – including H-1B and others.
In this context, several members of the Indian diaspora interviewed by TOI welcome these steps but express concern that the challenges facing their families will be addressed and resolved.
Dip Patel, founder and president of Improv The Dream, an organization of documented dreamers, said: “Unfortunately, without appropriate, parallel action to protect the more than 2,50,000 children of long-stay visa holders, this announcement may unintentionally enhance the risk that people raised and U.S. educated with legal status will be forced to self-deport.”
As previously reported by TOI, a significant number of these children come from Indian families. Last week, a bipartisan group of 43 members of the U.S. Congress called on the Biden administration to take administrative action to protect documented Dreamers. While waiting for legislative changes, the group, in a detailed letter, proposed measures such as deferred action and parole to protect documented Dreamers.
Patel points out that on the one hand, the Biden administration claims it is in the national interest to ensure that those educated in the U.S. can apply their skills and education to benefit the country, but it ignores the thousands of Americans raised and educated forcing their children to leave the country despite having legal status. “We (documented Dreamers) were also excluded from the 2012 DACA program simply because it required illegal status,” he adds.
“Congress and the Administration have heard countless stories and examples of children raised in America who were forced to leave the country during their prime working years. About 87% of us contribute to health care or STEM fields such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors and bioengineering. “Our country is not only losing the adolescent talent that was raised and educated here, but also many of their parents who have years of practical experience as miniature business owners or in fields such as medicine, engineering and artificial intelligence.”
“Providing this assistance is both economic and moral common sense. We hope that Congress will be able to continue to make the legal immigration system more accessible and protect the thousands of children of long-term visa holders from being forced to leave the country. Until Congress passes solutions like the bipartisan America’s Children Act, we need urgent action from the administration to make this a priority,” Patel concluded.
The Biden administration recently announced a novel path to enduring residency for undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens (green card). The announcement also included a proposal to make it easier for dreamers (does not apply to documented dreamers) who have diplomas from an accredited American university and a job offer from an American employer related to their diploma. The Biden administration plans to ease the path for such people to obtain employment-based nonimmigrant visa status – including H-1B and others.
In this context, several members of the Indian diaspora interviewed by TOI welcome these steps but express concern that the challenges facing their families will be addressed and resolved.
Dip Patel, founder and president of Improv The Dream, an organization of documented dreamers, said: “Unfortunately, without appropriate, parallel action to protect the more than 2,50,000 children of long-stay visa holders, this announcement may unintentionally enhance the risk that people raised and U.S. educated with legal status will be forced to self-deport.”
As previously reported by TOI, a significant number of these children come from Indian families. Last week, a bipartisan group of 43 members of the U.S. Congress called on the Biden administration to take administrative action to protect documented Dreamers. While waiting for legislative changes, the group, in a detailed letter, proposed measures such as deferred action and parole to protect documented Dreamers.
Patel points out that on the one hand, the Biden administration claims it is in the national interest to ensure that those educated in the U.S. can apply their skills and education to benefit the country, but it ignores the thousands of Americans raised and educated forcing their children to leave the country despite having legal status. “We (documented Dreamers) were also excluded from the 2012 DACA program simply because it required illegal status,” he adds.
“Congress and the Administration have heard countless stories and examples of children raised in America who were forced to leave the country during their prime working years. About 87% of us contribute to health care or STEM fields such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors and bioengineering. “Our country is not only losing the adolescent talent that was raised and educated here, but also many of their parents who have years of practical experience as miniature business owners or in fields such as medicine, engineering and artificial intelligence.”
“Providing this assistance is both economic and moral common sense. We hope that Congress will be able to continue to make the legal immigration system more accessible and protect the thousands of children of long-term visa holders from being forced to leave the country. Until Congress passes solutions like the bipartisan America’s Children Act, we need urgent action from the administration to make this a priority,” Patel concluded.