Trump’s ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill’ Passes US House: What It Means for Indians in America

In a significant political move, the US House of Representatives has passed the ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill Act’, a sweeping tax and spending package that encapsulates former President Donald Trump’s core domestic policy agenda. As the legislation advances to the Senate, its implications are creating serious ripples — especially among Indians living in the US.

For the nearly 45 lakh Indians in America, the Bill could change the game — financially and socially.

What Is the ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill Act’?

This massive 1,116-page legislation proposes a 10-year extension of Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, making permanent the lower income tax rates for individuals and corporations. The Bill also includes:

• A 20% pass-through income deduction for small businesses

• Deep cuts to federal spending, especially Medicaid, food stamps (SNAP), and housing support

• Rollbacks to Obamacare, Medicare expansions, and student loan support

While this might seem like a pro-business reform on the surface, the reality for the Indian diaspora is far more nuanced.

Why Indians in the US Should Be Concerned

Tax Relief Continues — But Only for Some

Indians working in high-skill jobs — particularly on H-1B visas or holding green cards — benefited earlier from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The extended tax breaks mean:

• Higher take-home salaries

• Continued child tax credit benefits for dual-income families

• Small business owners (like restaurateurs, IT consultants, and store franchisees) will retain the 20% deduction, which is a big win for the Indian entrepreneurial community

But that’s just one side of the story.

Remittances to India May Become More Expensive

One of the biggest shocks is a proposed 5% tax on international money transfers made by non-citizens.

This means that Indians who regularly send money back home could see significant additional costs:

• For every $1,000 sent to India, $50 would be taxed

• No exemption threshold — even small transfers will be taxed

• Could cost the Indian community an estimated $1.6 billion annually

This move is expected to affect millions of Indians, including 32 lakh Indian-origin individuals living in the US. Families in India who depend on remittances for education, healthcare, and daily expenses could face hardship.

Healthcare, Student Aid, and Basic Welfare in Danger

The bill also proposes major funding cuts that directly impact non-citizens and immigrant families:

• Medicaid and Obamacare subsidies: Elderly parents on green cards or long-term visas could lose coverage. Low-income Indian workers may find insurance unaffordable.

• Federal student aid and loans: With cuts to education funding, Indian students — especially those doing Master’s or PhDs — may face higher costs and fewer job options.

• SNAP and housing subsidies: Many Indian families in high-cost cities like New York or San Francisco might lose access to food assistance or subsidized housing.

Elderly Indians living on family sponsorships could be the hardest hit — risking evictions and waitlists for basic housing and food support.

What Happens Next?

The Bill now heads to the Senate, where Democrats have vowed to block or rewrite it. Many Republican senators from moderate states may also push back on deep social spending cuts.

If it passes in its current form, expect:

• Legal challenges from civil rights groups

• Budget disputes in blue states like California and New York