You know how we all dream of settling abroad, especially in the U.S., where we think life will finally be “set”? But for so many Indians on H1B visas, that dream has turned into a relentless cycle of waiting, hoping, and dealing with heartbreaking separations.
You’ve been living in the U.S. for years, paying taxes, building a life, contributing to the community, and feeling a bit like it’s your second home. But the catch? Every few years, you’re at the mercy of the visa process that decides if you can stay if you can leave to visit your family, or if you need to pack up and leave everything behind. And sometimes, it hits you hard.
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One person I read about had been in the U.S. for nearly 15 years, and still, each time they need a visa renewal, it’s the same hassle. No matter how many years they’ve put in or how much they have contributed, every trip home to India is a gamble.
Last December, they faced one of their biggest heartaches. Their uncle – a lifelong companion to their dad – passed away, and they couldn’t go back with their family. Can you imagine? Stuck in a foreign land while your family grieves halfway across the world, and you can’t even hold their hands and share the sorrow together.
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Now, we know how hush-hush mental health can be in our community, but when it comes to H1B holders, it’s a whole different level. Another persona shared that so many Indians on H1B are fighting depression, anxiety, or plain old stress – but they don’t dare seek help. Why? Because there’s always that lingering fear that a mental health condition might mess up their chances of getting a green card. The forms ask, and no one really knows how it might affect things.
So people keep bottling up, and think about it – all those years of worry, not knowing if you can stay, worrying about job security, keeping quiet about the mental toll it’s taking. They’re like “forever immigrants” – paying taxes, contributing to the U.S., but not being able to vote, not having a say, and constantly wondering, “Am I even wanted here?” It’s exhausting and honestly unfair.
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Sometimes making the choice to come back to India could feel like a relief. One family decided to pack their bags and leave after living in the U.S. for years and even getting their I-140 approved (a big step in the green card process). But with the endless delays, the lack of freedom to travel, and the weight of always living with “temporary” status, they realized it wasn’t worth it.
They even thought about Canada but decided to come home instead. “Sometimes I miss the Californian weather,” they said, “but that’s about it.” Imagine that sense of relief – not having to worry about visa renewals, being able to live life without that cloud hanging over you.
These stories remind us that immigration policies aren’t just about paperwork, they shape real lives. For these “forever immigrants,” moving back to India isn’t about giving up on their dreams. It’s about reclaiming a life they can actually live, where they’re not bound by endless waiting and uncertainty.
So next time, you hear about someone giving up their H1B and coming back to India, don’t be surprised. They’re not settling for less – they’re just choosing a life where they’re free to be with family, free to feel settled and free to live fully.
