Sep 28 / Richa Bansal

My 15-Year American Dream: Overcoming Visa Challenges and Career Setbacks

Exactly 15 years ago, I stepped foot in the US to pursue my big American dream.

As a starry-eyed 23-year-old, I couldn’t have been more excited for the infinite possibilities my future held!

After all, I had seen my uncles and aunts immigrate to the US, build successful careers, buy their dream homes, and build a fulfilling life.

But nothing could have prepared me for what came ahead.

Countless rejections for jobs simply because I needed visa sponsorship...

Inability to move companies on L1A (modern bonded labor, anyone?)...

50% loss in household income because husband lost job (L1 again)...

Couldn’t start a business or side hustle being on visa...

Forced to pack bags and leave the US because Greencard retrogressed...

Filed lawsuit on USCIS simply to get them to do their job in the first place...

After 2 foreign degrees, 10 years of social security tax payments, and 6 years of fighting the immigration system... we are finally both Canadian citizens and US GC holders.

If there was one thing that helped me get through all the ups and downs of immigration.. it was this:

RESILIENCE

You fail only when you give up. Period.

This is my voice of migration.

This is my American journey.

It has not been easy.. but I wouldn’t have it any other way either!
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Thank you Praneet Chaturvedi for giving me a platform to share my story.

Watch the full interview here

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