Additional Coverage:
- I’m a recent graduate and visa holder in the US. The H-1B debate is making me question my decision to stay here. (newsbreak.com)
Local Lab Tech Worries About Future in US
Pooja Asuri, a recent San Jose State University graduate, is facing an uncertain future. Working as a lab technologist in Maine, Asuri holds an Optional Practical Training (OPT) visa, a common path for international students seeking H-1B visas.
Originally from Singapore and an Indian citizen, Asuri moved to the US for college in 2019. After graduating in December 2023, she landed her current position after a stressful job search. The move to Maine meant leaving behind familiar surroundings in California for a remote town where she knew no one.
Asuri had planned a trip to India to see her family, whom she hasn’t seen in six years. However, recent debates surrounding stricter immigration rules led her to cancel those plans. She expedited her OPT extension application, costing nearly $1,700, fearing potential changes under the new presidential administration.
The uncertainty surrounding her visa status has taken a toll. Asuri admits to feeling apprehensive at work, hesitant to speak up for fear of jeopardizing her position. Even minor issues outside of work, like parking tickets, cause significant anxiety.
Asuri now questions her decision to come to the US. The challenges she’s faced have made her reconsider her pursuit of an H-1B visa and eventual citizenship.
She’s even considering moving to India, a place she’s never lived, to be closer to family and gain a sense of stability. The contrast between her experiences and her father’s, who moved from India to Singapore for better opportunities, highlights the changing landscape of migration.