A proposed change to the US Immigration Act seeks to make it easier for Indians living in the USA continuously for over seven years to apply for a green card or permanent residency. Reform to the Immigration Act of 1929 has been proposed in US Congress by Senator Alex Padilla.

The administration of President Donald J. Trump has been pushing back immigration. This proposal is a fresh bid to give nearly eight million long-term US residents, like Indian H-1B visa holders, an option to get a green card. 

Padilla has said that an immigration provision has not been updated since 1986. Analysts feel it is tough for the Democrat Party Senator to push the bill through to legislation, as Republican Party members are opposed to it. 

The proposal includes Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status holders, essential workers, and children of long-term visa holders. It could also help highly skilled workers, including H-1B visa holders who have waited years for employment-based green cards.

The bill would amend Section 249 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, known as the Registry. The current eligibility cutoff is 1st January 1972. The proposed change replaces that with a rolling requirement of seven years. The change would take effect 60 days after enactment.