On April 8, a 99-year-old great grandmother from India became a US citizen after taking the Oath of Allegiance in Orlando, Florida. Daibai’s naturalization made headlines and elicited an overwhelming response from the Indian American community, particularly those stuck in the Green Card backlog. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) shared a picture of Daibai holding her certificate of citizenship, with the adage “They say age is just a number” on social media.
Daibai’s journey to citizenship has divided Indian immigrants into two groups: the hopefuls and the cynics. The hopefuls celebrated her newly attained US citizenship, calling it a ray of hope amid the challenges of America’s outdated immigration system. On the other hand, the cynics opined that her stars aligned to make her a US citizen, while the 134-year Green Card backlog is like a life sentence to nearly 11,00,000 Indians. The news of Daibai’s naturalization has also prompted many to search for information on the maximum age for naturalization and the current Green Card wait time for H1B visa holders from India.
Historic Naturalization at 99
Daibai, a 99-year-old great grandmother of US-born kids of Indian descent, made history by becoming a US citizen on April 8, 2024. Her naturalization, which took place in Orlando, Florida, has divided Green Card applicants from India into two groups – the hopefuls and the cynics.
The hopefuls celebrated Daibai’s newly attained US citizenship and called it a ray of hope amid the challenges of America’s outdated immigration system. Her journey to citizenship has inspired those on the verge of losing hope even for legal permanent residency in the land of American Dream.
The cynics, on the other hand, opined that her stars aligned to make her a US citizen, while the 134-year Green Card backlog is like a life sentence to nearly 11,00,000 Indians. Despite the mixed reactions, Daibai’s naturalization has driven google searches, ‘What is the maximum age for naturalization?’ and ‘What is the current Green Card wait time for H1B visa holders from India?’
Daibai’s story has highlighted the need for pressing reforms in the US immigration policy, which perpetuates unprecedented wait times for Indians. Her historic naturalization at 99 has shown that age is just a number, and one can achieve their dreams at any stage of life.
Impact on Indian Green Card Applicants
Daibai’s naturalization has brought both hope and skepticism among the Indian Green Card applicants. While some view it as a positive sign that even at the age of 99, it is possible to obtain US citizenship, others are concerned about the long wait times for legal permanent residency in the US.
According to the latest statistics, the Green Card backlog for Indian nationals has reached an all-time high of 1.34 million, with an average wait time of more than 50 years. This has led to frustration and disappointment among the Indian community, many of whom are highly skilled and contribute significantly to the US economy.
The situation has also sparked a debate about the need for comprehensive immigration reform in the US. Many advocates are calling for changes that would streamline the Green Card process and reduce wait times for highly skilled workers from India and other countries.
Despite the challenges, however, Daibai’s story has inspired many Indian Green Card applicants to keep their hopes alive and continue pursuing their dreams of becoming US citizens. It remains to be seen whether her naturalization will have any significant impact on the Green Card backlog or the overall immigration policy in the US.
US Immigration System and the Green Card Backlog
The US immigration system has been a topic of debate for years, with calls for reform becoming increasingly louder. The Green Card backlog is a significant issue that affects thousands of immigrants, particularly those from India.
According to the latest data, the current wait time for Indian H1B visa holders to receive a Green Card is approximately 134 years. This unprecedented wait time has led to frustration and despair among those who are stuck in the backlog, waiting for their turn to receive permanent residency.
The Green Card backlog has also resulted in significant brain drain for India, as many highly skilled professionals are forced to return to their home country due to the long wait times. This has led to a loss of talent and expertise for the US economy.
Efforts to address the Green Card backlog have been ongoing, with various proposals and bills being introduced in Congress. However, progress has been slow, and the backlog continues to grow.
In conclusion, the US immigration system needs urgent reform to address the Green Card backlog and provide a more efficient and fair process for immigrants.
Community Reactions and Aspirations
The news of Daibai’s US citizenship has sparked a range of reactions and aspirations from the Indian American community. Many hopefuls have found her journey inspiring and see it as a ray of hope amidst the challenges of America’s outdated immigration system. They believe that her story will encourage others who are on the verge of losing hope for legal permanent residency in the US.
On the other hand, cynics have expressed their concerns about the 134-year Green Card backlog, which has become a life sentence for nearly 11,00,000 Indians. They are afraid that many H1B visa professionals will not be able to live long enough to receive a Green Card, let alone become US citizens like Daibai.
Some individuals have called for pressing reforms in the US immigration policy, and hope that Daibai’s story will serve as a wake-up call for policymakers to take action. They believe that the current wait times for Indians are unprecedented and are causing undue stress and hardship for families.
Overall, Daibai’s naturalization has sparked a much-needed conversation about the US immigration system and its impact on Indian immigrants. While her story has brought hope and inspiration to many, it has also highlighted the need for urgent reforms to address the Green Card backlog and ensure that all immigrants have a fair and equal chance to achieve the American Dream.
The Future of US Immigration Policy
As the US immigration system remains outdated and backlogged, the future of US immigration policy is uncertain. The current Green Card backlog of 134 years for nearly 11,00,000 Indians has caused frustration and hopelessness among those who are waiting for legal permanent residency in the US.
To address this issue, there have been calls for pressing reforms in the US immigration policy. Some proposals include increasing the number of Green Cards available each year, reducing wait times, and eliminating country-specific quotas. However, it is unclear whether these reforms will be implemented in the near future.
