H-1B Panic: PhD Holders Termed as Criminals?

The US immigration chaos is sending various H-1B’s into a panic. People with small misdemeanor records for something they have done decades ago are in disarray over stricter rules.

An Indian national who was caught for a Class-C misdemeanor 7 years ago now has his PhD and is working in cancer research. But he is still skeptical about applying for an H-1B visa.

He was never arrested and never went to jail but agreeing to pay a fine without fighting in the court has put a stain on his past which can be used against him.

Another person, sharing his anxiety, claims he is also troubled over a minor problem he faced 15 years ago. Not a big crime, but just hitting a car at a grocery store led to his arrest, forcing him to tick “yes” whenever he is asked about his criminal past on applications.

These aren’t criminals who are endangering people’s lives. They’re educated professionals who have turned their lives around and have become victims of a brutal US crackdown.

The authorities, however, don’t care about what they have achieved. They will use these past incidents against them if they don’t find any other valid reason to reject them.