The American Mirage: Why Studying in the USA Might Fail Indian Students
TL;DR
Please don’t come to the USA if you're considering it, especially as a student. The dream sold to you is full of half-truths, and the reality is far from what you might expect. Your dreams will likely be shattered, and the future you envision may never materialize. Your entire career will be spent chasing H1B visas[1] and hoping for a green card, which, if you’re born in India, could take up more than 100 years[2].
Part 1: Why This?
It saddens me to hear about or see several (Indian) students suffering in America, not able to get into a job, mounting pressure to start repaying education loans, not able to make decisions to stay/leave, not able to answer parents.. most of them believed in “The American Dream” not knowing the realities. These Consulates in India do not reveal the aftermath.. they say “come to America to study and your future is bright/set…”. It’s so easy for parents/students to fall for it.
I am trying to expose the harsh truths about immigrating to the USA, particularly for students. The allure of studying in America is strong, but the reality is a far cry from what you’re led to believe. I’ve seen too many students come here with high hopes, only to face a rude awakening.
I have been in America for over a decade, and i cannot believe i am still on a H-1B (work visa issued by American government). The happy path for any immigrant coming to America (for work) would be :
(1) Work visa like H-1B (renew every 2-3 years, re-file every time you move a job - yes seriously!!) —> (2) EAD (work permit) —> (3) Green Card (allows to live and work permanently)
This started with a typical random tweet i usually do and was amazed by the response. 25K engagements in less than 24 hours is something that caught my eye and the notifications from X did not stop. More people are viewing the tweet.
I am not angry at the US Ambassador in India, he is just following what what is in the US Immigration Law. But they are not showing the full picture.
Part 2: The Realities
Let’s start with some quick facts:
Shattered Dreams: Many international students arrive with dreams of building a successful career in the USA. Just because you have an degree from an American University does not fetch you a job. Like any market/industry cycles they go up & down. The USA’s job market is saturated, especially in tech and engineering fields where many international students focus. Even if you manage to find a job, the struggle doesn’t end there. The uncertainty of visa renewals, the fear of being laid off, and the constant pressure to prove your worth can make life here stressful and unfulfilling.
Finding an employer: Who can sponsor a work visa (like H-1B) along with a job. And businesses need to have everything in place - contracts, agreements, budgets, taxes to sponsor visas. Finding such is a very time consuming process for students after they complete education.
Chasing H1B Visas: The H1B visa process is nothing short of a lottery. Despite your skills and qualifications, you might find yourself rejected simply due to the sheer volume of applications. This uncertainty forces many to live in a constant state of anxiety, unsure if they’ll be able to continue their lives in the USA or if they’ll be forced to leave.
Visa Lottery: The H1B visa process is like rolling the dice. No matter how qualified you are, there’s no guarantee that you’ll secure a visa. It’s not your merit, achievements, papers, qualifications. Pure luck through a Lottery. The anxiety of not knowing whether you’ll be able to stay in the country can overshadow any career progress you might make, turning your American Dream into a nightmare.
Scams: Taking advantage of the situation several companies are targeting these with fake job offers and traps. Desperate students are falling for them, often jeopardizing their careers.
The Green Card Nightmare - Long Long Long Very Long Wait Times: For Indian-born immigrants, the green card wait time is so long that it’s effectively a dead end. This forces many to live in a state of perpetual uncertainty, unable to plan for the future or fully invest in their lives here. The emotional and psychological toll of this uncertainty cannot be overstated.
Think Twice. Best Don’t Come.
Before you make the decision to come to the USA, especially for education, take a moment to consider the realities. Speak with those who have gone through the process, and weigh the challenges against the potential benefits. The USA is no longer the land of opportunity it once was, particularly for immigrants from countries like India. The system is flawed, and the journey is far more difficult than it appears.
Despite all this, there is still hope for those of you already here. Keep fighting.
References
[1] The boring visa / greencard process:
For beginners, the happy path would be something like this:
Enter America on student visa
(F1)OPT/CPT to do part-time work
After education, find job + an employer who can sponsor work visa H-1B
H-1B is only for 1-3 years and a max stay of 6 years
File for (work based) Greencard (GC) - only employer can do it.
The sad / never-ending path:
GC Process
Step 1: Apply for I140 - only employer should do. expensive. takes 1+ years
Step 2: Usually USCIS issues an EAD (Work permit) — as of now takes more than a decade.
Step 3: GC issued — as of now may take ~100 years for India-born.
[2] https://www.cato.org/blog/150-year-wait-indian-immigrants-advanced-degrees