The American Dream or a Nightmare? A Wake-Up Call for Aspiring Indian Students

The United States has long been a destination of choice for aspiring individuals seeking to build their careers and make a better life for themselves. With the world's largest economy and some of the highest tech salaries on offer, it's no wonder that so many people from around the world look to America as a land of opportunity. However, for Indian-born individuals, the American dream can quickly turn into a nightmare. The country's immigration system has long been broken, leaving many qualified individuals stranded in legal limbo or facing the possibility of being deported from the country they've come to call home. For some, the prospect of deportation means entering a jail for a lifetime, cut off from the opportunities and freedoms that once seemed so tantalizingly within reach. For international students who come to the United States to pursue higher education in STEM fields, there is a glimmer of hope in the form of the three-year work authorization period granted after graduation. However, this hope often fades into disappointment as the practical reality sets in. The authorization period hinges on a willing company offering a job within three months of graduation, but the truth is that many international students struggle to even get a call for an interview, let alone secure a job offer. To add to this, many Indian students in the US also face discrimination and racism in various aspects of their lives, including in the workplace, further compounding the challenges they face in building their careers and lives in the US. For international students looking to continue their careers in the US beyond the initial work authorization period, the only option is the H-1B visa. However, the limited number of visas available means that the competition is fierce, with only 85,000 visas granted each year. This number pales in comparison to the number of international students who come to the US each year, which stands at over 500,000. To make matters worse, Indian consulting companies like TCS and Infosys also apply for H-1Bs from India, further reducing the chances of individuals obtaining this visa. The US government then conducts a lottery to determine who will receive the visas, leaving many international students and workers in limbo, unable to plan for their future due to the uncertain outcome of the lottery. The cost of sponsoring an H-1B visa is also prohibitively expensive for many companies, adding an additional layer of difficulty to the process. As a result, even the most talented and deserving individuals often find themselves unable to secure a visa and forced to leave the country, their dreams of building a life in the US dashed. While the H-1B visa provides a temporary solution for international students and workers looking to build their careers in the US, it comes with its own set of limitations. The visa is valid for a maximum of six years, and if an individual loses their job in the US, they have only 30-60 days to find another job and get a new H-1B sponsor. This means that many individuals are constantly in a state of survival, focused on finding and keeping a job rather than pursuing their long-term career goals. The green card, which allows individuals to stay in the US without a job or sponsor, is the ultimate goal for many. However, the only way to obtain a green card is through employment-based sponsorship, which is subject to numerous limitations, including a long waiting period. For Indian-born individuals, the wait time for an employment-based green card can be up to 90 years, effectively making it impossible for them to obtain one. The only way for H-1B visa holders to extend their stay in the US beyond the initial six-year period is if their sponsoring company applies for an extension on their behalf. For those caught in the 90-year limbo of waiting for an employment-based green card, life in the US can feel like a never-ending sentence. Even for those who have obtained an H-1B visa, the reality of life in the US can be harsh. Many US companies follow a bottom 20 percent layoff strategy, meaning that losing a job is a very real possibility. For those lucky enough to keep their jobs, the pressure to work long hours can be overwhelming. Vacations are a luxury that are often at the mercy of managers, leaving many individuals with little time to visit loved ones back home or simply relax. The constant fear of losing one's job and being forced to leave the country creates a sense of instability that can make it difficult to plan for the future. And if an individual does lose their job, finding a new one can feel like preparing for a battle, with tough interviews and cutthroat competition. Even experienced professionals may find themselves competing with new graduates for the same positions, leaving them feeling undervalued and underappreciated. In short, life in the US for those seeking long-term opportunities can be impossibly hard, with little hope of a reprieve from the daily grind. In conclusion, the path to success in the United States is far from straightforward for Indian-born students and professionals. While the country may offer a high salary and access to cutting-edge technology, the broken immigration system and fiercely competitive job market can create a sense of uncertainty and instability that can be hard to shake. Those hoping to build a life in the US must be prepared to sacrifice family ties and financial stability, all while remaining at the mercy of the companies that sponsor them. Even the most skilled and talented individuals may find themselves struggling to make ends meet, with the prospect of a green card or permanent residency remaining frustratingly out of reach. With all of these factors to consider, it's essential to choose wisely before embarking on this journey, and to carefully weigh the costs and benefits of seeking opportunities in the United States.