5 ms·

I'm a "highly skilled immigrant". I moved to the US at the age of 17, to go to college (on full financial aid). I graduated and stuck on for a PhD in computer

I'm a "highly skilled immigrant". I moved to the US at the age of 17, to go to college (on full financial aid). I graduated and stuck on for a PhD in computer science. American private organizations (i.e. Williams College) have spent $200,000 on my education. The NSF (which indirectly through my advisor's grant funds my graduate education) spends $80,000+ per year on my education. ($160,000 so far, and counting) Let's leave alone the stupid fact that my visa (F-1) is explicitly a non-immigrant visa (if I say that I have an intention to immigrate to the US someday; I can be deported or denied re-entry or visa renewal). So time spent in the US doesn't count for squat. If I hypothetically wanted to stay in the US, I would have to go to the "back of the line" and get an H1-B. I'm from India, so unless I qualify for an EB-1 visa (i.e. I get a tenure track position at a top research university) it's 5+ years on the Green Card waiting list. During those 5+ years on the waiting list I am tied to an employer. This, obviously, decreases my negotiating situation. If I get fired, I have 2 weeks to find a new job or get deported. If I switch jobs, the green-card wait time can in some conditions be restarted. I am at the whims of a ridiculous bureaucracy at all times (the few times I've dealt with USCIS for employment authorization for internships have been a nightmare). The H1-B is a poor option. Forget startups. In contrast, due to my youth and education I am eligible for a work-permit not tied to any particular employer in Canada, and qualify for permanent residency in a year or two. Same with Singapore. The UK used to be the same before the Conservatives came to power and halted all immigration. To the xenophobes, I'm not saying I have a right to enter your country. I'm just asking whether it's in your best interests to severely discourage me from entering. I probably will leave when I'm done with my PhD. No. I certainly will leave, because to state otherwise risks deportation under current immigration rules.

rweba 14y ago
I recently did some informal research and found that Canada has by far the most positive public opinion towards immigration among "rich" Western countries. Many European countries view immigration in almost entirely negative terms (largely for xenophobic reasons) and have been competing to make immigration of any kind harder. The UK has even recently made it harder for foreign graduates of UK universities to get work visas - a policy which I find to be MINDBOGGLINGLY stupid. Aren't those the EXACT kind of people that you'd want to stay in your country?
cema 14y ago
Yes! All good points. The US is losing here. Still an attractive country, but more should be done for it to maintain the edge.
ashayh 14y ago
"If I get fired, I have 2 weeks to find a new job or get deported." Actually, you have 0 days. You can be deported the next day. The decision totally depends on the officials involved. I finished a job on Jul 15, and got an offer letter dated Aug 1. I actually took two weeks off as I had no idea about this stupid business. Although I got my H1 transferred to the new employer, Immigration asked me to leave the US, visit a US embassy outside the US, and come back in. I was clearly told that the official at the US embassy can deny me re-entry as I was "out of status" for 15 days. Most officials are considerate, but many people have had horror stories. It does not matter that you have zero civil/criminal issues, paid more yearly taxes than the salary of many people, have an advanced degree from the US and have a life here (relations/friends, car, house etc). My latest employer goofed up when renewing my visa. And I have to go outside the US for a month this time. Mine is not the only story, you can google for more. And you are right...I am deeply wary of joining start ups and rejected a few offers.

rweba 14y ago

I recently did some informal research and found that Canada has by far the most positive public opinion towards immigration among "rich" Western countries. Many European countries view immigration in almost entirely negative terms (largely for xenophobic reasons) and have been competing to make immigration of any kind harder. The UK has even recently made it harder for foreign graduates of UK universities to get work visas - a policy which I find to be MINDBOGGLINGLY stupid. Aren't those the EXACT kind of people that you'd want to stay in your country?

cema 14y ago

Yes! All good points. The US is losing here. Still an attractive country, but more should be done for it to maintain the edge.

ashayh 14y ago

"If I get fired, I have 2 weeks to find a new job or get deported." Actually, you have 0 days. You can be deported the next day. The decision totally depends on the officials involved. I finished a job on Jul 15, and got an offer letter dated Aug 1. I actually took two weeks off as I had no idea about this stupid business. Although I got my H1 transferred to the new employer, Immigration asked me to leave the US, visit a US embassy outside the US, and come back in. I was clearly told that the official at the US embassy can deny me re-entry as I was "out of status" for 15 days. Most officials are considerate, but many people have had horror stories. It does not matter that you have zero civil/criminal issues, paid more yearly taxes than the salary of many people, have an advanced degree from the US and have a life here (relations/friends, car, house etc). My latest employer goofed up when renewing my visa. And I have to go outside the US for a month this time. Mine is not the only story, you can google for more. And you are right...I am deeply wary of joining start ups and rejected a few offers.