LawyerInternational Students in the US Now Face Visa Chaos, Policy Shifts, and Rising Anti-Immigrant Sentiment: Green Card Struggles

 

An Indian lawyer’s post on Reddit is making waves for uncovering the real-life struggles of immigrants chasing the American dream. The post brings into focus racism, hiring freeze, H-1B visa troubles, and a shocking green card wait of over 70 years.

 

A Journey from Hope to Harsh Truths

 

The lawyer, who studied at a top US law school with a hefty scholarship, shared how the dream of building a future in the US has become a nightmare for many. He originally intended to return to India after gaining experience, but stayed on to witness first-hand how international students and professionals face rising challenges.

 

Discrimination and Job Freezes Deepen Struggles

 

His experiences echo a growing concern: increased discrimination and job scarcity for foreign workers. The post highlighted how companies hesitate to hire international students, even those with excellent qualifications. This hiring freeze comes as US authorities crack down on companies favoring foreign workers over American citizens.

 

Big Companies Face Legal Threats Due to Discrimination

 

Major firms are now under legal pressure. Cognizant was found guilty of discrimination, with courts confirming it favored Indian H-1B visa holders while letting go of non-Indian staff. Meta also faces a lawsuit for allegedly favoring foreign workers, though the company denies any wrongdoing.

 

Rising Racism and Everyday Bias

 

The lawyer’s post struck a chord by detailing how racism against Indians is on the rise, including offensive stereotypes and microaggressions. “The hate is visible, from casual mockery online to real-life bias,” he wrote. He warned that for many, life in the US means surviving rather than living.

 

Green Card Nightmare: A 70-Year Wait

 

Green card delays are another blow. “More than 70 years,” he stressed, calling the process both time-consuming and expensive. With Trump-era immigration policies still casting a long shadow, many international students now face uncertainty, deportation risks, and revoked visas.

 

The Economic Strain of Living in the US - The US Is a Financial Burden

 

Adding to this is the economic burden. The lawyer highlighted the skyrocketing cost of essentials, unaffordable healthcare, and a paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle. Even basic services like grocery deliveries, common in India, are a luxury few can afford in the US.

 

Healthcare Access Remains a Struggle

 

Health services, too, are hard to access. Waiting weeks for tests or specialist appointments is common. If the insurance doesn’t cover a service, out-of-pocket costs can be crushing.

 

Immigration Help System Weakens Further

 

Immigration help systems have gone in the opposite direction. The Trump administration closed down the CIS Ombudsman office, which would have saved visa holders facing bureaucratic errors. Some 30,000 cases were investigated, and thousands were left stranded when the office was closed.

 

Visa Cancellations Spark New Fears

 

In the interim, recent reviews in policy have resulted in thousands of student visas being canceled. More than 300 visas have been terminated, many without any notification in advance. Critics contend that the political nexus, especially in regard to protesting on the campuses, only put innocent students at risk.

 

A Warning to Future Dreamers: Cautionary Message

 

The lawyer ended his post with a final message to students to think before they leap into the US education or career dream. "It's not what it seems," he said. It is a tough, expensive, and uncertain road behind the glamor.