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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

#241

Post by daniel-cussen »

lmarcos wrote: post #142
notch656a wrote: post #115

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>a border guard who is having a bad day. This is not to be understated. I was born a US citizen. Last time I entered the country, officers faked that a dog had alerted "on my anus", forcibly strip searched me, and fabricated a story that plastic baggies that they suspected 'could be drugs' were coming out of my ass. I was shackled and cuffed and dragged around the state of Arizona for 16 hours while publicly paraded…

And that's another reason I will never visit the USA.

I know an intellectual, talking about Harvard inviting him to go talk there, and he was like nah, traveling to the States is too hard. Too much security, too painful, flying hurts. It's not the same America it was back then, either, the Rolling Stones in New York type of thing. A lot of anymosity.

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

#242

Post by dhruvarora013 »

someotherperson wrote: post #55

Even going to the US as a non-immigrant is totally broken at the moment. If you don't qualify[0] for an ESTA (visa waiver) then an appointment for a tourist visa in the US can be upwards of 200 days in some places (i.e Australia or Netherlands). An appointment at the consulate in Toronto is 429 days away if you were to book today. That's not the processing time, that's literally just the appointment you need to make…

And that's if you can find an appointment at all. It's over 150 days here in Ireland and you have to check the portal pretty much daily to try your luck. I've been waiting for two months already and can never land one!

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

#243

Post by dhruvarora013 »

Miraste wrote: post #109
someotherperson wrote: post #55

Even going to the US as a non-immigrant is totally broken at the moment. If you don't qualify[0] for an ESTA (visa waiver) then an appointment for a tourist visa in the US can be upwards of 200 days in some places (i.e Australia or Netherlands). An appointment at the consulate in Toronto is 429 days away if you were to book today. That's not the processing time, that's literally just the appointment you need to make…

It's probably working as designed. Most people in ESTA countries qualify. The list of country visits that disqualifies you is North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen, all places where the US is hostile to the government or a major indigenous rebel/terrorist organization. The US government won't ban you outright for going there, but they're happy to deprioritize you. Compare with China, a non-…

There are citizens of countries that need visas that live in primarily ESTA countries. This is a larger demographic than you think!

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

#244

Post by corderop »

throwaway2037 wrote: post #225
corderop wrote: post #107

I guess it's almost impossible to emigrate as a Junior to US being European, but I would like to know the opinion of someone that has experience in that. I would like to work there in my first years (don't want to spend my life there) but I see normal that no company would like to support a VISA for a Junior having a lot in the US. I know that some companies hire you for 1 year in Europe and then offer you move to Am…

If you are a European passport holder (yes, I know that is broad), you should try for the Diversity Immigrant Visa -- aka the Green Card Lottery. I had a German co-worker once who applied and got it. For wealthy European nations, it is not /super/ difficult to win this lottery, as there are so few applicants. Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_Immigrant_Visa

Ouh, I didn't know about this program. It's so interesting to see a country like USA doing this. I will read more about the program, it seems interesting, I will read more about it.

> it is not /super/ difficult to win this lottery, as there are so few applicants.

I see in the Wikipedia article that 13M people applies. I guess that you mention that not so many people emigrate from Europe to the US, that's why it's more likely to get this. I will consider this, it's so interesting.

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

#245

Post by BeetleB »

codegeek wrote: post #215
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…

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 fro…

The top comment wasn't telling anyone to shut up.

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

#246

Post by huy-nguyen »

cletus wrote: post #167
0xcafecafe wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Attributing all the problems to those bodyshops is a bit disingenuous IMO. Yes they are part of the problem. Even Chinese nationals face 5+ years backlog for their green cards. Limiting immigration from populous countries based on arbitrary country caps for employment based immigration makes no sense. As it is it is a small piece of the overall immigration pie (14% and if we count only primary applicants, ~5%). What…

All of the factors I listed apply to China. But even though both countries have similar populations, around two-thirds of H1B applicants are Indian nationals. Bodyshops are a big factor here. This flood of H1B applications is a big factor in everyone having to go through a lottery. So if two-thirds of the H1B applicants are Indian nationals but the current system caps per-country green cards at 7% (per category), you…

This is a great point that is rarely mentioned. China has larger population than India yet has a much shorter backlog so is it really the fault of the US immigration system that India has a long backlog? The Indian outsourcing industry and India’s lower level of economic development are parts of the problem.

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

#247

Post by throwaway1183 »

keyme wrote: post #93
someotherperson wrote: post #55

Even going to the US as a non-immigrant is totally broken at the moment. If you don't qualify[0] for an ESTA (visa waiver) then an appointment for a tourist visa in the US can be upwards of 200 days in some places (i.e Australia or Netherlands). An appointment at the consulate in Toronto is 429 days away if you were to book today. That's not the processing time, that's literally just the appointment you need to make…

Even with a tourist visa that I got years back it isn't smooth going into the USA anymore (as a shithole-country passport holder). I went many times, but last time I got "the room", for absolutely no reason, and nothing was asked of me but the standard questions. It only took hours in an intimidating setting. USA, you're just another country. Next time I'll take my tourist money elsewhere.

As a citizen of another shithole-country passport holder (living in country other than US) I can't agree more. I don't get why people make it as if USA is the only beacon of hope. It's just another country.

Now that the world is diversified, globalized and everything is connected with the internet, I don't understand why people have to cling so much to the American idea of success. Are people living outside really that unsuccessful? I don't see any problem with what USA is doing. It's their country, let them do their thing. As long as US is open to trade and exchange, everyone is winning! They made so many great things and everyone can reap benefit out of it.

I hypothesize that it's the generational problem that got passed to other people because of globalized world. Everyone has equal access of information. Just 20 years ago, when people had less information, they were probably more content with the local things. But the result of globalization is people tend to be blinded. They starting ignoring opportunities. I realized that even few people from rich country think that it's only in the US where they can be successful.

I feel it's like how people moved from farms to cities then to another countries. Now the time has changed and the new city is US. I think every place has their own flaws and gains, but life will just keep on going. I believe we should learn to be more gratuitous and be thankful for what we have.

On the sidenote, congrats to author getting the card!

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

#248

Post by foogazi »

ROTMetro wrote: post #172
notch656a wrote: post #115

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>a border guard who is having a bad day. This is not to be understated. I was born a US citizen. Last time I entered the country, officers faked that a dog had alerted "on my anus", forcibly strip searched me, and fabricated a story that plastic baggies that they suspected 'could be drugs' were coming out of my ass. I was shackled and cuffed and dragged around the state of Arizona for 16 hours while publicly paraded…

I was super upset after visiting China and returning to the USA. Our immigration people were so much more authoritarian scary than the Chinese had been. And the Chinese had this cool smiley computer interface where you rated the chinese immigration official for their interaction on the spot. So China was not only friendlier and more welcoming, but also more accountable. We really need to check ourselves in America. O…

> And the Chinese had this cool smiley computer interface where you rated the chinese immigration official for their interaction on the spot.

TBH I think I would click the smiliest smiley in any foreign country

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

#249

Post by muzaffarpur »

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

Do you know what discrimination means? This is literally discrimination. Yes, it is encoded in law, still is discrimination. Imagine this, next time you getting interviewed by someone, and he rejects you,because you are not chineese/Indian. Then you'll be discriminated and that would be acceptable, per law. I'm sure your definition of discrimination won't change then.

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

#250

Post by pgcj_poster »

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?

Legally, the US doesn't have an obligation to to do anything other than comply with the treaties it signs. It would be within its rights as a sovereign nation to require that everyone within its borders wear a rainbow wig and hop around on one leg. However, that would be a stupid policy that would make people's lives harder for no reason.
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