US Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified on May 24 that Washington’s new immigration and green card regulations are not specifically targeted at India, but are part of a broader overhaul of the American immigration system amid growing concerns over illegal migration and misuse of visa pathways.

During his meeting and joint interaction with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi, Rubio acknowledged concerns raised by India regarding the possible impact of tighter visa and green card rules on legitimate Indian professionals, students, and skilled workers living in the United States.

Jaishankar emphasized that genuine travelers, students, and legal applicants should not face unnecessary difficulties under the revised US immigration framework.

Responding to these concerns, Rubio stressed that the policy changes are global in nature and are not directed at any single country.

“This isn’t about India. It is about the whole world,” Rubio stated, adding that the US administration believes the immigration system and green card process have been “misused in several cases.”

Under the proposed immigration changes, many foreign nationals who are already residing legally in the United States — including H-1B visa holders and employment-based green card applicants — could be required to leave the country and complete immigrant visa processing through US embassies or consulates abroad instead of adjusting their status within the United States.

The administration is also reportedly considering treating “adjustment of status” inside the country as an exceptional provision rather than a routine pathway toward permanent residency.

Additional proposed measures currently under review include stricter scrutiny of employment-based green card petitions, expanded background and security checks, tighter interview waiver rules, increased monitoring of visa overstays, and possible revisions to work authorization rules for dependent visa holders.

The issue carries major significance for Indians, who represent one of the largest groups waiting for employment-based green cards in the United States. Immigration experts and industry groups have warned that requiring applicants to leave the US for consular processing could create serious disruptions for families, employers, and the American technology sector, which heavily depends on highly skilled immigrant professionals.

Despite concerns surrounding immigration policy, Rubio and Jaishankar reaffirmed the strategic importance of India-US relations during the visit. The two leaders discussed expanding cooperation in areas including trade, energy, defense, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, and Indo-Pacific security.

Rubio’s visit marked his first official trip to India as US Secretary of State and comes at a time when both countries continue to deepen their strategic and economic partnership despite ongoing debates over immigration and mobility policies.