A 25-year-old Indian man has shared his harrowing experience in the United States, revealing that he is now returning to India after five years, feeling completely defeated. His story is a rollercoaster of job and visa struggles, culminating in a forced departure from the country.
The Beginning: A Promising Start
The man, who shared his story on Reddit, arrived in the US in 2021 at the age of 21 to pursue a master's degree. He completed a six-month internship and subsequently secured a job at a startup, where he worked for a year. Everything seemed to be falling into place when he was selected in the H-1B lottery on his first attempt.
Despite the success, he wanted to move to a higher-paying job as his salary at the startup was modest. However, he felt a sense of loyalty to the CEO, who had trusted and hired him after his internship. But just four months after obtaining H-1B status, he was laid off.
The 60-Day Struggle
H-1B visa holders are given a 60-day grace period to find a new job or risk losing their status. Unable to secure a new position within that timeframe, he switched to a B-2 visitor visa to remain compliant. During this period, he received a Notice to Appear from immigration authorities, initiating removal proceedings.
The legal battle lasted three months and drained all his savings, but he ultimately won the case and was allowed to stay in the US. Shortly after, he found another job.
Government Shutdown and Missed Deadlines
When he landed a new job, a government shutdown occurred, preventing his new employer from filing the Labor Condition Application (LCA) on time. Consequently, he had to apply for an extension of his B-2 visa and also filed an H-1B change of status petition. However, all his applications remained pending for over a year.
Eventually, his B-2 visa was approved, but his B-2 extension was denied. This led to the devastating news: he was ordered to leave the country immediately.
A Heartbreaking Conclusion
“Now I’m being told I have to leave the country immediately. I don’t know how to process any of this,” the man wrote. He added that he was laid off the day after his parents received their B-2 visas to visit him. He sold his car and most of his belongings—things he had worked for years to afford.
“I’m preparing to move back in with my retired parents. Instead of going home with experience, savings, and stability, I’m going back with student loan debt, no savings, no motivation, and no idea what comes next. The only thing keeping me going right now is my dog,” he wrote.
