This iReport is part of an assignment:
Naturalized citizens: Your thoughts on immigration reform
Green card is the light at the end of my tunnel
I am a common person with the same old story line as many many H1B workers from India around the country. I came to US on F1 visa, obtained my graduate and post graduate education. I put my heart and soul into getting those degrees hoping I would maybe have a chance to explore new opportunities because I am already in the land of opportunities. Simple plan right? Wrong! I was denied employment in both government and private sector in my field of study because of my security clearance which was dependent on my immigration status. After working very hard to fit into this country, spending most of my young growing up years here, I did not feel I belonged anywhere else. So I decided to embark on the never ending journey towards the Green Card. I went through all the right channels did all the right things and yet my adjustment of status application remains in “In Processing” status for past 7 years. Why? Because I am one of the few unlucky ones whose application fell through the cracks when green cards were approved like hotcakes couple of years ago. Tens of phone calls and several emails later I realized this is not getting anywhere. So trial # 3 begins starting all over from square one - back to H1B with a new employer. The price I paid – demotion from top of the IT chain to the bottom of the rope.
So, here I am, 13 years later, finding myself kicked back to square 1 but still hopeful that there is light at the end of this tunnel. All my tax payments, mortgage payments, community work will not go vain and become meaningless. My day is coming slowly but surely! My tenacity will surely payoff. Until then I remain a legal immigrant waiting for my turn.
I hope the new policy will be extended to legal immigrants also so that my common story becomes uncommon someday. One day the dollar dream will become an easily achievable one
So, here I am, 13 years later, finding myself kicked back to square 1 but still hopeful that there is light at the end of this tunnel. All my tax payments, mortgage payments, community work will not go vain and become meaningless. My day is coming slowly but surely! My tenacity will surely payoff. Until then I remain a legal immigrant waiting for my turn.
I hope the new policy will be extended to legal immigrants also so that my common story becomes uncommon someday. One day the dollar dream will become an easily achievable one
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