Short Description
An Indian Redditor shares the emotional toll of waiting over 12 years for a Green Card while on an H-1B visa, highlighting the struggles faced by many immigrant workers.
Read Time
Approximately 4 minutes
Main Article
The journey towards obtaining a Green Card in the United States is fraught with emotional and logistical challenges. A recent Reddit post by an Indian immigrant encapsulates the struggle many experience while waiting for their Green Card even after receiving I-140 approval. This individual revealed a decade-long wait, expressing frustration over a priority date that remains “frozen in ice.”
Their poignant remarks, reflecting on missing significant family events like Diwali and weddings back home, resonate with countless others in similar situations. As they recounted, “Is this what we crossed oceans for? To be ‘stuck’ for over a decade?” This sentiment echoes the feelings of many who come to the U.S. seeking better opportunities but find themselves caught in an enduring immigration backlog.
The I-140 approval is a crucial step in obtaining a Green Card, signifying that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has recognized an employer’s petition for a foreign worker. Granted by the employer, this approval locks in a priority date, allowing the individual to extend their H-1B visa beyond the typical six-year limit. Unfortunately, for Indian nationals, the waiting period is particularly lengthy, as only a limited number of employment Green Cards are issued annually—140,000, with a cap of 7% for any single country. This quota creates a massive backlog, causing many to wait years, if not decades, for their applications to be processed.
Reddit users frequently share their own waiting experiences, with some having waited up to 18 years. This shared struggle brings a sense of community, but also highlights the frustration of being unable to plan for the future. Flight bookings become fraught with anxiety due to the risks of visa stamping, underscoring the precariousness of their situation. As this Redditor’s story illustrates, while the “golden cage” job may provide financial stability, it comes at the cost of personal and cultural sacrifices.
Short Summary
The story of an Indian Redditor highlights the emotional and logistical challenges faced by immigrants waiting for a Green Card while on an H-1B visa. Despite receiving I-140 approval, many experience prolonged delays due to visa quotas, resulting in significant personal sacrifices. This narrative resonates with thousands navigating the complex U.S. immigration system, emphasizing the urgent need for reform.
