There’s a strange trend quietly emerging in the U.S. job market. Many individuals on OPT and H1B visas are starting to feel the pressure, yet no one seems to be openly discussing it.
Layoffs are increasing. Hiring is sluggish. And for those on temporary work visas, there’s an unseen countdown—90 days for OPT holders and 60 days for H1B workers—before they have to pack up and leave.
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Some are beginning to ask the tough question: Is this just a coincidence? Or is this hiring freeze acting as a silent filter? Just a three-month slowdown can push thousands of skilled workers out—without any official policy changes.
In online communities, people are sharing their experiences of unpaid internships, bogus job offers, and the intense pressure to remain “technically employed” to dodge deportation. It’s no longer just desperation—it’s become a calculated strategy. Even positions that offer no pay are now seen as a crucial lifeline.
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There’s a rising frustration about how the system is being manipulated. Visas that were intended to address skill shortages are now driving people into a state of panic. While the rules remain unchanged, the surrounding environment has subtly transformed.
The aspiration to work in the U.S. was never a walk in the park. But now, it’s not merely about landing a job. It’s about navigating a system that seems to be working against its own principles.
