Trump's H-1B Visa Overhaul Reduces Indian NRI Marriages, Alters US Education Aspirations

Tighter U.S. immigration policies under President Donald Trump, particularly changes to the H-1B visa program, are causing Indian families to reconsider arranged marriages with Indian citizens living in the United States. Many prospective brides and grooms, like 19-year-old medical student Sidhi Sharma from Haryana, have abandoned plans to marry NRIs due to fears of job insecurity and visa complications. Matchmakers and experts note a significant decline in demand for U.S.-based Indian suitors, who were once highly sought after for the financial security and better opportunities they represented. The Indian diaspora in the U.S., which numbers around 2.1 million, has traditionally been an attractive marriage pool, but the recent immigration crackdown has led to delays in weddings and a shift in marriage prospects. These policy changes have also affected Indian students' plans to study in the U.S., prompting some to seek alternatives in other countries. Overall, U.S. immigration policies are reshaping traditional marriage and migration aspirations among Indian families, with ripple effects felt deeply at the family level.