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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

#211

Post by screye »

geodel wrote: post #204
screye wrote: post #101

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What makes arbitrary geographic borders markers of diversity ? The language, religious practices, food, festivals and traditions change every 100 miles in India. It is an old civilization with as much or more diversity than all of Europe. Small countries like Belgium, Netherlands and Austria can balkanize and claim diversity over minor differences. Yet, Indians are clumped together under 1 umbrella ? How does that ma…

What makes skin color marker of diversity ? This is world we live in. India can have diversity claims if they let individual states in India their passports, languages, flags and so on. It's on them to show diversity before expecting others to appreciate it.

It gets even more ridiculous if we try to use 'physical' differences. It then becomes about genes.

Guess what ? Everyone who lives out of Africa has a common-ish ancestors as far as 80k years ago. So, Africans are significantly more diverse than the rest of the world combined.

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

#212

Post by valarauko »

Longlius wrote: post #182

The complaints about national quotas are strange. The prevailing assumption that everyone outside of the US should ideally have an equal opportunity to receive permanent residency. But that's not a goal of US immigration policy. US immigration policy is built around maintaining a diverse pool of immigrants and focusing on family reunification. Skilled labor is obviously a plus but it's of secondary concern.

Everybody understands the stated goals of US immigration policy. They just don't necessarily agree with it, and are pointing out ways in which the current policy is detrimental to US interests in ways that likely supersede the value gained by diversifying the country of birth of potential immigrants.

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

#213

Post by yangikan »

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…

The whole point is that if you were born anywhere else (except India or China), it is a fairly simple process which would take less than a year (one can file both I-140 and I-485 together).

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

#214

Post by BeetleB »

throwaway2037 wrote: post #203
BeetleB wrote: post #186

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think it's simply fair to provide context and compare with other countries. While the US immigration process sucks compared to many countries, it very likely is in the top half of the world - most countries are simply worse. I've lived in places where you have a zero chance of getting permanent residency, let alone citizenship. Even if you marry a citizen. A friend of mine lives in a similar country. On paper there…

I've lived in places where you have a zero chance of getting permanent residency, let alone citizenship. Even if you marry a citizen. Could your share the places?

I tend not to share personal history, so I'll randomly pick one:

> Another country that is very difficult to receive citizenship is Qatar. There are lengthy continuous residence requirements and not all children or spouses receive citizenship automatically.

> Children born in Qatar to Qatari parents are automatically entitled to citizenship. Any person born with a Qatari father may apply to be a citizen, if they meet eligibility criteria. However, the same is not true for individuals with a Qatari mother.

> People who qualify for permanent residence through naturalisation are those who have lived in Qatar for at least 20 years consecutively (if born outside Qatar) or ten years (if born there).

> Applicants must be fluent in Arabic, hold good character, and be able to support themselves financially during their stay.

> Although there are very generous government benefits available for citizens, the government only grants a maximum of 100 permanent residencies per year.

So if you're male, marry a Qatari woman, your kids won't even be citizens. While there technically is a process to get permanent residency, you can see how limited it is - a max of 100 per year, and I bet the majority of those have government connections. Similar story with nearby countries.

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

#215

Post by codegeek »

BeetleB wrote: post #186
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…

I think it's simply fair to provide context and compare with other countries. While the US immigration process sucks compared to many countries, it very likely is in the top half of the world - most countries are simply worse. I've lived in places where you have a zero chance of getting permanent residency, let alone citizenship. Even if you marry a citizen. A friend of mine lives in a similar country. On paper there…

Yes, just because someone is criticizing doesn't automatically mean they are not grateful. But most comments here are basically insinuating that. I am a naturalized citizen and I love the USA. I love the opportunities it has provided me and I am grateful but I also pay taxes, have created jobs (business owner) and I have plenty to criticize (to hopefully improve). Don't tell me to shut up because I was "well came from a shittier country". This is my country as much as yours.

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

#216

Post by lakkal »

bckygldstn wrote: post #143
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.

My green card had my name correct but someone else's face printed on it! Unfortunately they didn't look at all like me, it took ages to get fixed. I wonder if someone else got my face on their card, or if they use a grumpy bald man as a placeholder in their card template. My name is also misspelt on my social security card. I didn't bother to have that corrected and so far there have been zero repercussions.

That's interesting that your card made it to you with the wrong photo on it. There was a visual inspection process that compared what the printed card looked like, to what it's supposed to look like, and cards were supposed to be ejected and reprinted if there was a mismatch. I worked on the machine/system that prints those cards in the late 90s. When was your card issued? I heard somewhere (and find it easy to believe) that the entire system we built was replaced with something much smaller and simpler a few years later as technology improved.

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

#217

Post by cuteboy19 »

rlewkov wrote: post #60
cuteboy19 wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's a combination of factors 1. India is poor but not too poor 2. It has a huge population 3. A lot of upper class Indians already have family in the US Of course, it is not clear why any of this should matter. Why should it be capped by country (as opposed to continent, zipcode or planet?)

IMHO it matters because of the "D" word ... diversity

Considering that the people who have the easiest time with this system are from Europe/Canada or Australia maybe the D word ought to be discrimination

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

#218

Post by yangikan »

meowtimemania wrote: post #65
0xcafecafe wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why though? If Google is hiring an engineer, it doesn't make a distinction and does so purely on skill. Why should it matter if said engineer is from Argentina (arbitrary example) instead of India? The US issues roughly 1 million green cards each year. 86% of those go to family based immigration. The rest 14% are for employment based immigration. Even in there the dependents (spouse + kids) are counted against that q…

Benefit is greater diversity. Rather than have majority of immigrants from hugely populated countries like China or India, immigrants are more evenly distributed from all around the world. The system obviously has big downsides to individuals from India/China. If it can be proved to US citizens that it’s in their interests to get rid of the cap, I think it will be gone.

You get enough diversity from the 85% of people who come in through family based immigration. So, the majority of immigrants are not coming from countries like China or India irrespective of whether this discrimination persists or not.

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

#219

Post by guyzero »

BeetleB wrote: post #186
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…

I think it's simply fair to provide context and compare with other countries. While the US immigration process sucks compared to many countries, it very likely is in the top half of the world - most countries are simply worse. I've lived in places where you have a zero chance of getting permanent residency, let alone citizenship. Even if you marry a citizen. A friend of mine lives in a similar country. On paper there…

I don't think China and India (or literally any other country) ran saturday morning cartoons for decades talking about the fact that their country was built by immigration. There's a disconnect between America's rhetoric and its actions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZQl6XBo64M

That said, as a green card holder, sure, I'm grateful that the US has this process. But I think Americans need to also acknowledge that they've generated trillions of dollars of wealth from immigrants and they could make the paperwork a little bit simpler.

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

#220

Post by amf12 »

meowtimemania wrote: post #65
0xcafecafe wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why though? If Google is hiring an engineer, it doesn't make a distinction and does so purely on skill. Why should it matter if said engineer is from Argentina (arbitrary example) instead of India? The US issues roughly 1 million green cards each year. 86% of those go to family based immigration. The rest 14% are for employment based immigration. Even in there the dependents (spouse + kids) are counted against that q…

Benefit is greater diversity. Rather than have majority of immigrants from hugely populated countries like China or India, immigrants are more evenly distributed from all around the world. The system obviously has big downsides to individuals from India/China. If it can be proved to US citizens that it’s in their interests to get rid of the cap, I think it will be gone.

> Benefit is greater diversity.

There are other "diversity" visas. One is a literal diversity lottery and a family permanent resident visa. Does it not make more sense to look at qualifications for employment petitions.

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