(UNITED STATES) Indian nationals waiting for a Green Card may soon see relief if the Dignity Act of 2025 passes in Congress. This bipartisan bill, introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in August 2025, aims to cut down the long wait times that have left many Indians in limbo for years, sometimes even decades. The proposed law would raise the per-country cap on green cards, offer a fast-track option for those stuck in the backlog, and protect children of work visa holders from losing their legal status.
The Dignity Act of 2025, officially known as H.R. 4393, is the most significant immigration reform proposal currently under consideration. It targets the legal immigration backlog, especially for high-demand countries like India, where applicants often wait over 10 years—and in some cases, up to 100 years—for a Green Card. The bill’s sponsors, Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Florida) and Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas), say the changes would make the system fairer and more efficient for everyone.

Key Changes Proposed by the Dignity Act of 2025
The Dignity Act introduces several important changes that would directly impact Indians seeking a Green Card:
- Increase in Per-Country Cap: The bill would raise the per-country limit for green cards from 7% to 15% in both employment-based and family-sponsored categories. This change would help reduce the backlog for countries like India, where demand far exceeds the current cap.
- Backlog Reduction and Premium Processing: The bill sets a goal to bring down the legal immigration backlog so that no one waits more than 10 years by 2035. For those who have already been waiting over 10 years, there would be a premium processing option. Applicants could pay a fee between $20,000 and $50,000 to have their Green Card application processed faster.
- Protection for Documented Dreamers: Children of work visa holders who have lived legally in the United States 🇺🇸 for at least 10 years would be protected from “aging out”—a situation where they lose their eligibility for a visa due to processing delays. These children would be able to apply for lawful permanent resident (LPR) status.
- Creation of an Immigration Agency Coordinator Office: The bill would create a new office to oversee and coordinate immigration processes, aiming to reduce bureaucratic delays and improve agency responsiveness.
- Legal Pathways for Undocumented Immigrants: The Dignity Act also includes a 7-year earned legal status program for undocumented immigrants, allowing them to live and work legally in the United States 🇺🇸 if they meet certain requirements.
Why This Matters for Indian Green Card Applicants
Indians have faced some of the longest Green Card wait times due to the current 7% per-country cap. Many Indian professionals, especially those on H-1B visas, have been stuck in the backlog for years. The Dignity Act’s proposed increase to a 15% cap would allow more green cards to be issued to Indians each year, helping to clear the backlog faster.
The premium processing option is another major change. For those who have been waiting over a decade, the ability to pay a fee to move to the front of the line could be life-changing. While the fee is high, it offers a way out for families who have been stuck in uncertainty for years.
The bill also addresses a critical issue for children of Indian work visa holders. Under current rules, these children can lose their legal status when they turn 21, even if their family’s Green Card application is still pending. The Dignity Act would let these “Documented Dreamers” apply for permanent residency, giving them a secure future in the United States 🇺🇸.
How the Dignity Act Would Work: Step-by-Step
If the Dignity Act becomes law, here’s how the process would unfold for Indian Green Card applicants:
- ✅ Eligibility and Queue Position: Applicants who have been waiting in the backlog for over 10 years would become eligible for premium processing.
- ✅ Premium Processing Payment: Eligible applicants could pay a fee of $20,000 to $50,000 to have their Green Card application processed more quickly.
- ✅ Increased Country Caps: The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) would adjust the per-country caps to 15%, allowing more green cards to be issued to Indian applicants each year.
- ✅ Documented Dreamers Apply: Children of work visa holders who have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for at least 10 years could apply for LPR status without fear of aging out.
- ✅ Immigration Agency Coordinator: A new office would oversee the process to ensure timely decisions and help reduce the backlog.
- ✅ Undocumented Immigrant Status: Eligible undocumented immigrants could apply for the 7-year earned legal status program.
Political and Legislative Context
The Dignity Act of 2025 is a bipartisan effort, with support from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. In addition to its main sponsors, the bill has backing from about 20 members of Congress, including 10 Republicans. However, its future is uncertain due to the current political climate.
President Trump, who returned to office in 2025, has taken a much tougher stance on immigration. His administration has focused on enforcement and restrictions, making it harder for many immigrants to enter or stay in the United States 🇺🇸. For example, the administration has expanded expedited removals, ended the Diversity Visa Lottery, and placed new limits on family-based immigration.
In July 2025, President Trump signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA), which cuts immigrant access to health care, nutrition, and tax benefits while increasing funding for detention and enforcement. These changes have made the immigration landscape even more challenging for many families.
Impact on Indian Families and Professionals
If the Dignity Act passes, Indian families and professionals could see real improvements. The backlog for Green Cards would shrink, and more Indians would be able to move from temporary visas to permanent residency. This would help families stay together and give professionals more certainty about their future in the United States 🇺🇸.
The premium processing option could be especially helpful for those who have been waiting the longest. While the fee is high, it offers a way to escape the endless wait. However, some critics worry that this could favor wealthier applicants who can afford to pay, leaving others behind.
The bill’s protections for Documented Dreamers would also make a big difference for many Indian families. Children who have grown up in the United States 🇺🇸 would no longer have to worry about losing their legal status when they turn 21.
Challenges and Criticisms
Not everyone supports the Dignity Act. Some conservative lawmakers and immigration restrictionists argue that the bill goes too far by increasing the number of green cards and offering legal status to undocumented immigrants. They prefer stricter enforcement and fewer pathways to legal residency.
Others worry that the premium processing fee could create unfairness, allowing only those with enough money to move ahead in the line. Supporters of the bill say that the fee is voluntary and that it will help clear the backlog for everyone by reducing the number of people waiting.
Employers, especially in the tech industry, strongly support the bill. They say that long Green Card waits make it hard to keep talented workers, many of whom are Indian nationals on H-1B visas. By speeding up the process, the Dignity Act would help companies keep the skilled workers they need.
Historical Background
The Green Card backlog for Indians has been a problem for many years. Under the current system, no more than 7% of green cards can go to people from any one country each year. Because so many Indians apply for employment-based green cards, the backlog has grown to the point where some people face waits of 10 years or more. In extreme cases, the wait could be as long as 100 years.
Previous attempts to fix the system have failed due to political disagreements. The Dignity Act is the latest effort to address these long-standing problems.
What Happens Next?
The future of the Dignity Act depends on negotiations in Congress. If the bill passes, some changes could take effect right away, with the goal of eliminating the backlog by 2035. However, the Trump administration’s focus on enforcement and restrictions could make it harder for the bill to become law.
Legal challenges to President Trump’s executive orders on immigration are also ongoing, adding more uncertainty to the situation. Immigrants, employers, and advocacy groups are watching closely to see what happens next.
Practical Tips for Indian Green Card Applicants
- Stay Informed: Follow updates from official sources like the U.S. House Judiciary Committee and USCIS for the latest news on the Dignity Act and immigration policy changes.
- Check Eligibility: If you have been waiting in the Green Card backlog for over 10 years, keep track of your place in line and be ready to act if the premium processing option becomes available.
- Prepare Documents: Make sure all your paperwork is up to date, including work history, visa records, and family information. This will help you move quickly if new options open up.
- Consult Experts: Consider speaking with an immigration attorney or a trusted advocacy group to understand your options and plan your next steps.
- Support Networks: Connect with other Indian families and professionals facing similar challenges. Sharing information and resources can make the process easier.
Official Forms and Resources
- For information on Green Card applications, visit the USCIS Green Card page.
- To check the latest visa bulletin and see current wait times, go to the USCIS Visa Bulletin.
- If you are a child of a work visa holder and worried about aging out, review the USCIS Child Status Protection Act for current protections.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The Dignity Act of 2025 offers hope for Indian nationals stuck in the Green Card backlog. By raising the per-country cap, introducing premium processing, and protecting Documented Dreamers, the bill could bring real change to thousands of families. However, the political environment remains uncertain, and the Trump administration’s focus on enforcement could slow progress.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the Dignity Act represents the most promising effort in years to fix the Green Card backlog for Indians and other high-demand groups. Indian applicants should stay informed, prepare their documents, and be ready to act if the bill becomes law. For now, the wait continues, but there is reason to hope that change is on the horizon.
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