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My journey through the American immigration system as a computer engineer

software.rajivprab.com

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Re: My journey through the American immigration system as a computer engineer

#71

Post by gorbachev »

asdf_snar wrote: post #31

I can only say this sounds extremely accurate based on my own experience of F-1, OPT, H1B. The anxiety resonates as well. I remember getting my work authorization card and noticing that my first name and last name were switched. I remember sitting down at a train station and nearly breaking down into tears, because I was certain this mistake wouldn't be tolerated, that I'd lose my job, and have to leave the country.

Agreed.

When I was getting my green card, USCIS actually lost the one they had already printed. A very kafkaesque situation for which there didn't appear to be a clear process to resolve. I knew I didn't have to leave the country over it like you, but I had no idea if I'd be able to start in my new job, which came with a very significant, almost life changing, pay raise. The USCIS officer I went to see about the situation basically told me "not my problem", and nothing else.

It all turned out ok in the end, but the week or two I didn't know what would happen were the most stressful days of my entire life.

Re: My journey through the American immigration system as a computer engineer

#72

Post by twofornone »

codegeek wrote: post #61
quantumwannabe wrote: post #38

Note that India requires prospective citizens to live in the country for 12 years before applying for naturalization, and China doesn't allow non-ethnic Chinese immigration at all (only ~1500 naturalized citizens/10,000 permanent residents in the whole country of over a billion people). Something to keep in mind when people from those countries complain about the American immigration system (doesn't apply to the Sing…

I never understand this argument. If someone leaves their country to migrate, aren't they looking for a better life ? Just because India requires you to live for 12 years, Indian citizens should just shut up/put up with 18+ years of waiting because their country of origin has it worse/same ? This sounds a lot like "We gave you US citizenship. So shut up and stop criticizing the Govt because you came from a 3rd world…

Are foreign peoples entitled to US citizenship? Where is the obligation to make the process easy and open to everyone coming from?

Re: My journey through the American immigration system as a computer engineer

#73

Post by meowtimemania »

sdfhdhjdw3 wrote: post #24
jaywalk wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The US government is supposed to first and foremost take care of US citizens, not just allow them to be pushed out of jobs because corporations would rather import cheap labor.

I agree with that. Do you agree that should be weighted by the need of the country to remain competitive, say in the hypothetically scenario where we came to the conclusion that the average american is lazy, and that that's the core reason why immigrants replace them?

The country shouldn’t act in the interests of the “country” but rather in the interests of its citizens. “Replacing” the citizens (sounds a little genocidal) is not in the citizens best interests.

Re: My journey through the American immigration system as a computer engineer

#74

Post by Swizec »

For an alternative approach and path – it took me 7 years from landing in the country on a B-1 business visa to a EB-2 greencard via 2 separate O-1 visas. And I thought that was grueling!

Just received my card in the mail two weekends ago.

Here’s a full writeup linking to 2 previous visa writeups, if anyone’s interested: https://swizec.com/blog/how-i-used-indie-hacking-to-sponsor-...

caveat: I’m from a small country that’s well under quota and there is no wait time beyond the usual processing times.

Re: My journey through the American immigration system as a computer engineer

#75

Post by throw0101a »

quantumwannabe wrote: post #38

Note that India requires prospective citizens to live in the country for 12 years before applying for naturalization, and China doesn't allow non-ethnic Chinese immigration at all (only ~1500 naturalized citizens/10,000 permanent residents in the whole country of over a billion people). Something to keep in mind when people from those countries complain about the American immigration system (doesn't apply to the Sing…

No post body was provided.

Re: My journey through the American immigration system as a computer engineer

#76

Post by codegeek »

twofornone wrote: post #72
codegeek wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I never understand this argument. If someone leaves their country to migrate, aren't they looking for a better life ? Just because India requires you to live for 12 years, Indian citizens should just shut up/put up with 18+ years of waiting because their country of origin has it worse/same ? This sounds a lot like "We gave you US citizenship. So shut up and stop criticizing the Govt because you came from a 3rd world…

Are foreign peoples entitled to US citizenship? Where is the obligation to make the process easy and open to everyone coming from?

Not saying make it easy. Trust me, it is already extremely hard. But I am replying to GP's argument which is basically saying that you should shut up because you are coming from a country which has worse. 2 different things. And yes, there are people who make the argument that if you become a naturalized citizen, you have no right to criticize the Govt or the country since you came from a much worse place. I am tired of that BS. Google "Amy Wax India" and you will know what I am talking about.

Re: My journey through the American immigration system as a computer engineer

#77

Post by illplaythatgame »

d3nj4l wrote: post #26
jaywalk wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'll flip your question on its head: why are the people filling these roles so heavily skewed to one country?

Let me flip your question too: why do you think it matters?

>>>> Let me flip your question too: why do you think it matters?

Sure, it matters because there are tens of millions of black, hispanic, and latino US citizens -- numerous with CS/STEM degrees -- who cannot get into FAANGs. Many end up in retail or as best buy tech squad reps or tmobile store salespersons.

Yet we're told that someone from a foreign country is a better candidate for these FAANG jobs. In my experience, half the foreign workers cannot even speak english legibly.

Do Americans and the US Government owe at least some chance to local citizens who are being passed over for jobs generation after generation?

Re: My journey through the American immigration system as a computer engineer

#78

Post by meowtimemania »

throw123123123 wrote: post #10
zolosa wrote: post #5

Indians account for 73.9 percent out of the total number of H1B visa holders in the USA. Now i wouldn't want anyone to be discriminated but still it makes sense to limit green card based on nationality

What doesn't make sense is putting limits whatsoever.

Why does it not make sense? Imagine you have factory workers making 15$ an hour and a company decides to import labor to work at 10$ an hour because there’s “no limits” to immigration. The government should act in the interests of its citizens.

Re: My journey through the American immigration system as a computer engineer

#79

Post by asdf_snar »

omitmyname wrote: post #42
asdf_snar wrote: post #31

I can only say this sounds extremely accurate based on my own experience of F-1, OPT, H1B. The anxiety resonates as well. I remember getting my work authorization card and noticing that my first name and last name were switched. I remember sitting down at a train station and nearly breaking down into tears, because I was certain this mistake wouldn't be tolerated, that I'd lose my job, and have to leave the country.

what is the end of the story?

I didn't even notice the mistake at first -- my name is not misspelled, so I figured if I didn't say anything I would be able to get away with it. I knew my EAD card would have to be photocopied or scanned at some point when I first arrived at the office, so I crafted some inane plan to tell an engaging story while the HR person was taking care of my documents, in the hopes they wouldn't see. In the end no one ever noticed, I ended up getting H1B a few months later. But I don't think my worrying was unfounded; I'd heard stories of a single character being wrong (or, missing an accent, and therefore not matching their passport) and someone's entire life changing (they had to go back to their home country).

I should also note that the guidelines for filling out CPT and OPT are also completely nebulous. I forget what the specific issue was, but I remember the administrator at my university being unsure of how to answer some question, them having no recourse, and me having nobody to ask.

I'm on my 4th year of H1B and I need to figure out how to apply for a GC. The time investment in putting together all the documents is significant. Not to mention exiting the country to go see loved ones is always a pain.

Re: My journey through the American immigration system as a computer engineer

#80

Post by usrn »

sg47 wrote: post #28
sct202 wrote: post #4

I think it's really eye opening to me that he still only got a green card so far after 18 years. He's been going thru immigration hoops in the US for as long as it would take to raise an adult.

20 years here and no GC yet. The immigration system is a disaster. Upwards of$2 million in taxes to still be treated as a temporary worker.

There are multiple groups involved here. Some of us don't want that many immigrants, for us the immigration system is only a disaster because of the high rate of illegal immigration.
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