Team Blitz India
DOZENS of users on social media platform X have come forward to express their frustration over the prolonged wait times for US visas and green cards in the comment section of what was meant to be a heartwarming post celebrating the story of a 99-yearold Indian woman who recently attained American citizenship. “They say age is just a number. That seems true for this lively 99-year-old who became a #NewUSCitizen in our Orlando offce. Daibai is from India and was excited to take the Oath of Allegiance. She’s pictured with her daughter and our ofcer who swore her in.
Congrats Daibai,” US immigration services (USCIS) said in a post. As the American immigration agency shared 99-year-old Daibai’s journey to US citizenship, netizens raised concerns about the extensive backlog plaguing the American immigration system. Many voiced their grievances over the arduous wait times for visa approvals and green card processing.
Aside from the issue of green card backlog, the US visa application process in India has become increasingly burdensome, with wait times stretching beyond several years in some cases. This has led to frustration and anger among those afected.
Daibai’s story, while inspiring, has reignited discussions about the accessibility of the “American Dream,” the belief that anyone, regardless of background, can achieve success in the US through hard work and determination. There is a need for reforms within the USCIS to address the delays and obstacles faced by immigrants seeking permanent residency in the United States and the accessibility of the American dream. Some have raised questions about whether the dream is truly attainable for everyone, particularly given the challenges and obstacles inherent in the immigration process.
When asked about the long backlog of green cards in a recent podcast, US Ambassador in New Delhi eric Garcetti said, “Part of this is a legislative problem that Congress will have to address on whether it’s the number of legal immigrants, the number of green cards, or the number of people who can become citizens.”