Live data from Hacker News

How can I protect my H-1B and green card if I am laid off?

alcorn.law

1–10 of 78 posts

Re: How can I protect my H-1B and green card if I am laid off?

#2
This can pose a big problem for people who have made their homes in the U.S. for decades, diligently working, paying taxes, buying houses, and raising their children.

It's perverse there is any visa that lets someone stay in the country for decades without offering them a path to permanent residency and citizenship.

Re: How can I protect my H-1B and green card if I am laid off?

#5
post #2

This can pose a big problem for people who have made their homes in the U.S. for decades, diligently working, paying taxes, buying houses, and raising their children. It's perverse there is any visa that lets someone stay in the country for decades without offering them a path to permanent residency and citizenship.

I believe H-1B is a dual-intent visa, allowing application for a Green Card after a specified number of years. Green Card holders then become eligible for citizenship after another specified number of years. So if my understanding is correct, the US government agrees with you.

Re: How can I protect my H-1B and green card if I am laid off?

#6
post #2

This can pose a big problem for people who have made their homes in the U.S. for decades, diligently working, paying taxes, buying houses, and raising their children. It's perverse there is any visa that lets someone stay in the country for decades without offering them a path to permanent residency and citizenship.

No post body was provided.

Re: How can I protect my H-1B and green card if I am laid off?

#8
post #5
post #2

This can pose a big problem for people who have made their homes in the U.S. for decades, diligently working, paying taxes, buying houses, and raising their children. It's perverse there is any visa that lets someone stay in the country for decades without offering them a path to permanent residency and citizenship.

I believe H-1B is a dual-intent visa, allowing application for a Green Card after a specified number of years. Green Card holders then become eligible for citizenship after another specified number of years. So if my understanding is correct, the US government agrees with you.

Yes but your employer needs to sponsor you for a green card, and they don't really have any incentive to do so (since once you have the green card you don't have to work for them anymore).

Re: How can I protect my H-1B and green card if I am laid off?

#9
post #2

This can pose a big problem for people who have made their homes in the U.S. for decades, diligently working, paying taxes, buying houses, and raising their children. It's perverse there is any visa that lets someone stay in the country for decades without offering them a path to permanent residency and citizenship.

H1-B is dual intent. After six years in the US as an H1B worker, you can become eligible to apply for a US Green Card, which will allow you to remain in the USA indefinitely. However due to the backlogs in priority dates for some categories, you could potentially be in H-1B status for 10-20 years while waiting for your priority date to become current. But you can keep renewing using AC21 provisions in the meantime.
Post reply on HN