U.S. Government issues H-1B visa to skilled workers to come to the U.S. temporarily and work here. Most of these H-1B visa are issued to people from India and almost all of them are from the IT industry. They can bring their spouses to live with them, These spouses are issued H-4 dependent visa. But these H-4 dependent visa people are not allowed to work in the U.S.
Beginning May 2015, the U.S. Government started to issue Employment Authorization to those H-4 visa dependents if their H-1B spouses have an approved petition for Green Card. (Once their petition is approved for Green Card, it may take many years for them to get an actual Green Card.)
Already there are protests that these H-1B visa holders are taking the jobs away from American citizens. These protesters are further outraged that now the H-4 dependents also have started to work and they take more jobs away from the American citizens. There are some lawsuits pending in courts.
Now the current U.S. Government is considering to go back to the original situation whereby H-4 dependents can stay with their spouses in U.S. but cannot work.
The responsibility of U.S. Government is to provide employment for the people of Bangor, Maine, and not for the H-4 dependents from Bangalore, India.
These H-4 dependents are now complaining. Here are some of their reasons:
They will lose their financial independence. This can lead to psychological problems.
They resigned high paying jobs in India to be with hubby in U.S. and now in a dilemma.
They have masters degree from reputable universities but unable to work here.
They are in a sense of entrapment to helplessness to self-doubt to self-hatred.
Their hardest problem is loneliness
They don’t want to become a shadow of their husband.
There is an idiom. Give an inch and take a mile.
I can understand issuing H-1B Visa for highly skilled workers. I can also understand issuing H-4 visa for spouses so family stays together. But allowing H-4 dependents also to work and take away American jobs? No way.
All these highly educated and intelligent H-4 dependents knew what they are getting into when they applied for H-4 visa. They know the restrictions. Then why complain now?
I have a suggestion for these people. If you think you can make a significant contribution to the U.S. economy and society with your education and experience, why don’t you apply to change your visa status from H-4 to H-1B. I know a few people who have done that.
ah ha... controversial subject... here is my thought process
ReplyDelete1. I have been an interviewer for some years now in the IT sector, how come I never see so called Americans on any of these interviews. Oh wait.... they are busy collecting their unemployment benefits (Tax Money of the H4/H1 people who work) ,collecting WIC stamps and availing section 8 benefits
2. If applying and getting H1 visa were an easy process i am sure people would do that and maybe are already in the process of doing it (Lets not forget the various restrictions they come with). As much as other things are easier in USA, getting work Visa and Greencard are not as easy as before.
3. Now for the last point, people who are complaining now, were not complaining before this was made available to them, its common people reaction when something is given to them and taken away.
Apologize if I got carried away on this one... just my humble opinion LOL.
Thanks for your comments Dee. Please don’t apologize. This is a free country and you can express your opinion without fear. Yes, they (the Americans) are busy collecting unemployment benefits and food stamps. But they are collecting in their own country. They did not stand all night outside of a Consulate to come here and collect them.
DeleteYes, I agree that there are restrictions in converting from H-4 to H-1B Visa. It is difficult. It is disappointing if something is taken away. But why suffer unnecessarily here in this hell. Go back to Bangalore and enjoy life there. No one is compelling them to stay in this rotten place.
Taking an Excerpt from a conversation i had with a True American ("Who Posted This?")
Delete"You are here for the money, so suck it up and stop whining"
Clearly the American Hospitality comes with One Rule for Immigrants....If you want to stay here Keep your head down and hustle. Bowing out of this conversation....
Thanks for your comments again Dee. Nothing can be farther from the truth in your comment. This is a country which regards free speech and individual liberty as most important. You can achieve anything in this country if you try. For Example: Sundar Pichai, Indira Nooyi, Satya Nadella, Shantanu Narayen, Ajaypal Singh Banga, etc. An Indo-American woman (Kamala Harris) is likely to become the next President of the United States.
DeleteAll that is required from those who came to work here temporarily is don’t try to manipulate the rules once you are inside the country.
Free Speech, Free Country.... but don't Complain, don't Whine, don't Talk.....U are so Funny SG
Deleteyou can complain. You can whine. You can talk. But don't be too smart and try to subvert the rules. I recently read an incident where a mother from India on a tourist visa admitted her child in a public school in USA. She was asked to leave the country. She is complaining now how unfair USA is.
DeleteOMG.... did her complaining subvert the rules.... How awesome is that...IF IT DID NOT why are are you citing that example and starting your comment with "You can Complain"
DeleteOh an one more thing, How did the school admit a child into school whose parent is on Tourist Visa?
DeleteComplaining should be for lawful stuff. You cannot complain you are not allowed to murder someone.
DeleteAmericans trust people in general. That school admitted the child in good faith. Later, when asked to provide documents like social security number, etc., it was found out they were on a tourist visa. And the school called the immigration office.
One more clarification.... Not all H4 can get a job in the USA its only H4 EAD which means they are in the final stages of getting Greencard and settling and staying in the USA.
DeleteMic Drop...
DeletePlease read my second paragraph again. That is what I said about which H-4 is eligible for EAD.
DeleteMic Drop! Actually, that means when a performer or speaker intentionally drops/throws the microphone on the floor after an awesome performance. So you think your comments are awesome? I agree. I think your comments today are awesome.
Just one more. I will also Mic Drop. Americans are busy collecting their unemployment benefits because their jobs are taken by unqualified H-1B and H-4 Dependents and Wetbacks. Mic Drop...
DeleteNow, I have a doubt. Who is An American? As to my knowledge, Europeans rushed to America and the native Americans were almost wiped out of America when the American subcontinent was discovered. Now who is yelling?
ReplyDeleteMay be it is the Karma that is passed through their ancestors that they are facing this situation?
DeleteThanks for your comments Sindhu. Who is an American? Anyone who is born in the United States or legally immigrated to Amrica. You are correct. America is the land of immigrants. That is why immigrants by the millions still come to this country.
DeleteIt is interesting you said Europeans occupied America and wiped out the native Americans. It happened many centuries ago and not relevant for justifying people trying today to manipulate the system and bend the rules.
Many countries have such history. For example, once upon a time Tamil speaking people (Dravidians) have been widespread throughout the Indian subcontinent before the Indo-Aryan migration into the subcontinent. Dravidians are the only indigenous people to the Indian subcontinent. Indo-Aryan migration pushed the Dravidians to the South.
While we are on this subject Sindhu, one more information I want to share. Native Americans are still considered “independent nation” within the nation (United States of America). Therefore, these Native Americans are allowed to set their own laws and levy taxes. They don’t have to pay taxes to the Government. They administer their own tribes.
DeleteWill the Government of India allow indigenous Indians (i.e. Dravidians) to make their own laws and not pay taxes to the government? I think not.
Good to know about how native Americans are treated today :-) It's definitely laudable deed.
DeleteAryan and Dravidian topic is another controversial subject. We are made to believe, our Puranas are just stories but those stories woven by foreigners narrate our history. Britisha raj knew that it is difficult to rule us without dividing, it is difficult to mend us. True historians have made study and confirmed that history of Aryan and Dravidiyan race was introduced to purposefully miscommunicate Vedas to us. And it was done to divide us.
In Samskritam 'Arya' means respected person and it was a term used similar to 'Sir' in English. 'Arye' is synonymous with 'Madam'.
Pseudo historians have damaged everything here!
Please find some hints in the following link where Shataavadhani Dr. Ganesh has written about Aryan and Dravidian theory-
Deletehttp://prekshaa.in/debunking-aryan-dravidian-issue-indigenous-approach-3/#.WqgdcJBX62c
Please go through the second part, it is exceptional!
Deletehttp://prekshaa.in/debunking-aryan-dravidian-issue-indigenous-approach/#.WqgiB5BX62c
Third part of the paper-
Deletehttp://prekshaa.in/debunking-aryan-dravidian-issue-indigenous-approach-2/?relatedposts_hit=1&relatedposts_origin=11957&relatedposts_position=1#.WqgksJBX62c
Thanks Sindhu for your clarification and supporting links. I am not an expert on the Aryan and Dravidian theory. I go by what was taught in school and college. If they are false, I have no way of knowing what is the truth. May be historians rewrite history to suit their purpose. This is attributable to historians on both sides.
DeleteI do understand, SG. Because, I too was taught the same fake history of invasion of Aryans in my school. And, there has been no history update by concerned authorities as well. What matters bring hatred towards our nation, have been crafted & amplified by the paid media, paid writers, and paid philosophers. It is not easy to recognise disguised enemies.
DeleteAgreed Sindhu.
DeleteI feel, people should respect the laws. If it is not permissible by law, it is not permissible. But at the same time, in democracies - how much ever difficult that might be - there are ways to make amendments to the laws if it involves the lives of a substantial no. of people. Appeal to people who are in position of power and get the required amendments the correct way. Now, if people in power have a contrary opinion, it's their opinion that prevails. They've been placed in power by the majority for a reason.
ReplyDeleteIn short, when in Rome, be a Roman. And respect Roman laws.
Destination Infinity
Thanks for your comments Rajesh. I agree with you 100%. If you are in a country, abide by their laws. If you don't like it, then contact the people who make these laws and try to change the laws. Or, go to court and file a law suit.
DeleteJust FYI. USA is the only country where there is no immigration check during departure. Those who want to leave, please get out. In other countries, if you had over stayed, you will be put in jail.
Spirited discussion happening over here SG.
ReplyDeleteKeep the edgy controversial topics coming!
But I gotta shout out to my homegirl Dee.
Whoa! Whoa! Slow down there Lil Dee.
I said no such thing! So please don’t quote me.
More FAKE news from the FAKE media outlets.
Regards,
BIG D...aka DJ Trump
not DJ like a guy who spins records so people can dance.
DJ as in POTUS
Thanks for your comments Mr. President. Fake news all over with CNN (Clinton News Network), WaPo (Commies) and others. You are going to win Nobel Prize for taming Kim Jong-Un. Go MAGA MAGA
DeleteOMG....You know meee... how awesome is that....the POTUS Himself or should I say BIG D....I am Honored.... but it was verified news that I Wrote...I hope you Agree and save my Name.
DeleteAll these laws are confusing and ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteH1, H4, H1B, HIV, H2O…
Listen, visas are meant to be credit cards only!
Your country should have open borders and let everyone in just like us.
We have a great country and throughout history our leaders are known for making excellent decisions.
Regards,
Angela Merkel
Thanks for your comments Angela. For sure, we all know about your great leaders. Kaiser Wilhelm II and Adolf Hitler. And now YOU.
DeleteH4 dependents can start working in 2020.
ReplyDeleteI’ll give back to you...what was wrongfully taken from you...when I take over the nation.
Regards,
The Big O
#Oprah2020
#Oprahforpresident
#KamalaHarrisSux
Go Oprah....I Love you Oprah...Thanks for understanding what this great nation truly needs
Delete#Oprah2020 #Oprahforpresident
Thanks for your comments Oprah. I really want you to run against Trump in 2020. Reason? Trump can go down in history as the first ever candidate to carry all 50 states and win the election. (Mr. Obummer says he visited all 57 states.)
DeleteVery interesting debate here. We opted for America for working and have a good life over there. There is no meaning in blaming them. Once we are there, we should respect that country and abide by their rules.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Sandhya. Agree with you 100%. If you are in a country, obey that country's laws.
DeleteTrue, taking away indigenous job by foreigners will the natives into jobless category. When there is an option of H-1B visa, why to be adamant. If you give an inch, you will take a mile.It is better to keep that one bird in hand than going for the two in the bush.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Sarala. You are absolutely right. If they think they are qualified they can apply to convert from H-4 to H-1B visa.
DeleteI do not agree with you SG. I thought of not commenting about this here. :) I see this attitude in Indians who came to US in 80s or 90s. They consider themselves "Americans" and do not like the Indians who are migrating these days. Those who came in 80s and 90s got visas and green cards within few years of applying so they never faced the H4 issue. But people who have been waiting for a green card for 10-15 yrs (after everything has been approved) know the pain I think. Yeah I know people should just go back if they are not okay with the rules. But the rules are not really fair - a not-so-qualified person from country x gets green card in few years (so his spouse can work) while a highly qualified Indian has to wait for decades. Anyway, I am not on H4 so I am not really concerned about this issue. But I do empathize with those who have to sit at home, even if they hold Mtechs or MBAs from India, just because they don't have valid visa.
ReplyDeleteI would say solution is to give visas to only highly qualified Indians and then give them GC in few years, instead of what is happening today.
DeleteThanks for your comments Ash. I am glad you commented here. Indians who came in 80s and 90s are not saying H-4 visa people should not work here after accepting the restrictions. It is the Trump administration saying that. If the rules are not fair, fight it in courts. Talk to the people who make the rules (Congressmen and Senators). My suggestion is they should try to convert from H-4 to H-1B if they think they are super qualified.
DeleteThey could even try to get an L-1 visa. It is easier to get Green Card under L-1 visa under the doctrine of Dual Intent.
I agree with what you told me separately. Give H-4 visas only to highly qualified people and then given them Green Card in a few years.
Even with H1, they should give it to highly qualified people, instead of anyone with a bachelors degree.
DeleteBut it is not easy to convert from H4 to H1. If it were, do you think people would cry so much? It's a chicken and egg problem - you cannot get a job without work visa and you cannot get a visa without a job. L1 is being misused a lot. They should focus on L1 first.
Thanks Ash for your comments. I know it is hard to convert from H4 to H1. Why should they make it easy? Then every H4 will apply for conversion the day after they land in USA.
DeleteI missed this, and a few other posts, of yours, as I was caught up with work.
ReplyDeleteThis is a problem every country faces, in one form or the other, at some point of time or the other.
I have known America as a country that values talent, irrespective of who that person is. That is a good principle, to follow. And it amply explains why America is the nation that it is.
Having said that, a government's primary responsibility is towards its own citizens. So, policies for immigrants have to be seen in that context, and tempered in such a way that one's own country's citizens aren't victimised by policies that favour immigrants.
These policies -- be that of the US or any other country -- are not for ever. They keep changing according to contextual imperatives. There will be times, when policies towards immigrants have to be relaxed, and there will be times when it has to tightened. It is a cyclic process.
Thanks for your comments Pradeep. I agree with you. Every government is responsible for its own citizens. Immigration policies are subject to change at any time based on the ground realities.
DeleteLoved the spirited conversations in the comment section. :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Shilpa. Glad you enjoyed reading these spirited conversations.
DeleteI think one who is fittest for the job will get the job. High skilled job will be taken by somebody who knows that work. I agree with all points in your post along with spouses on dependent visas, living away from home, suffer with isolation and depression.
ReplyDelete