Living the American Dream: The Challenges Faced By Indian Immigrants
Living in the US is a dream for many, but for Indian immigrants, the dream is not always so bright. The H-1B visa, a popular route for skilled Indian workers, comes with many challenges. When navigating the US’s complex immigration system, many obstacles arise.
The road to permanent residency and citizenship can be long, uncertain and emotionally draining, putting a strain on personal and professional lives. The annual quota of H-1B visas makes the process even more difficult. A limited number of H-1B visas are available each year, leaving many qualified applicants out due to the lottery system.
One immigrant who came to the US felt the H-1B route was not suitable for him. He described the US immigration system as “broken”. He said, “India is such a big country and we have been given only seven per cent quota like smaller countries. How is that fair? I understood the H-1B system is a lottery system and it will not work for me.”
He decided to start a business and sponsored his visa himself. He now runs a fast casual Indian restaurant that serves healthy Indian food quickly.
A young woman, who came to the US about 20 years ago, said that for many years she could not work and lived as a dependent. This time pushed her into a deep depression. She said, “I faced a terrible depression and then decided to make a documentary on this issue. Earlier, H4 visa holders were not allowed to work and even now it is very unstable. We need a permanent solution to the H4 issue.”
The spouses and children of H-1B visa holders also face their own challenges. Many dependent visa holders are not allowed to work, leading to financial pressure and loss of professional identity.
Another immigrant, who has been in the US for the last 14 years, said that her 17-year-old daughter is reaching the age limit in a few months due to delays in the citizenship process. “I am on an H4 visa. My daughter is turning 18 this month and she has to give up many opportunities. If our citizenship status doesn’t change, she may be deported to India at the age of 21,” he said.
The road to permanent residency or a green card is particularly difficult for Indian immigrants. Due to country-wise limits, Indian citizens may have to wait 50 years or more for an employment-based green card.
An immigration lawyer said she sees desperate situations among her clients. “I get many stories. Once, a key H1B member died and the dependents didn’t know what to do now. They suddenly lost their homes. It’s a sad situation,” she said.
A marketing professional and social media influencer, she talks about immigration issues in the US with her husband. He said, “Everyone’s story here is unique. But what we’ve learned is that if you have the right spirit, you can navigate things. But why does it have to be so hard?”
H-1B limits, dependent visa restrictions and endless green card backlogs create a challenging environment that can be very frustrating.
The American Dream is not impossible, but the path to it is more difficult than expected. Most people hope that the complex system will be simplified to make it easier for them to achieve their goals.
(All names have been concealed to protect privacy of the respondents)
