Dreams don’t always die with a visa denial, sometimes they die in silence, with no warning and no recourse. One man who spent over two decades trying to legally build a life in America recently took to Reddit to share his chilling experience
It started at 14, with a dream of earning a place in a country that, he believed, rewards talent and hard work. After years of higher education, completing his bachelor’s and master’s from the US, he got STEM OPT and two failed H-1B lotteries in 2016.
It was only in 2022 that his H-1B finally came through and the US journey began—but only briefly. A technical error by the employer got it revoked after a few months, forcing an exit back home for the techie.
However, he was still not defeated and reinvented himself back home. He became Chief Technology Officer of a national bank, millions using his products, national awards, and even a meeting with the country’s president.
With a strong profile, the techie went on to apply for green card categories like EB-2 and EB-1A, only to face denials at first. Finally, on his third attempt at the “extraordinary ability” green card, his EB1A got approved.
In the meantime, a 2024 H-1B had also been approved and stamped. With legal status and hopes renewed, he re-entered the US with his wife and two kids.
And just ten days in, an email dropped like a bomb telling him that his EB1A had been returned for possible revocation. There was no reason or process. Just a dream ripped away without warning.
Now, he is at a place he has dreamt of living for 22 years but in legal limbo, being jobless and directionless. Turns out, following every rule still isn’t enough in America.
