For decades, the United States has been portrayed as the ultimate destination for ambitious professionals, a land where talent could translate into prosperity. For Indians on H-1B and L-1 visas, however, this promise is increasingly fraught with uncertainty. The H-1B visaa non-immigrant programme allowing US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations, is subject to annual caps and a lottery system, leaving holders dependent on employer sponsorship for extensions and permanent residency. The system, once seen as a gateway to professional growth, now acts as a complex maze where careers and life decisions are constantly under negotiation.Steve Bannon, former Trump strategist, has urged an immediate halt to all foreign student visas, declaring that “no foreign students should be in the country right now.” Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has reinforced this position, calling for a ban on Indian H‑1B visa holders on the grounds that they compete with American tech graduates. Adding a broader perspective, Dhillon warned that such measures could undermine innovation and restrict the inflow of skilled talent critical to the U.S. technology sector.
Personal stories highlight visa dilemma
A 28-year-old software engineer at Google recently shared her dilemma on Reddit: “Honestly, I never had plans to move abroad, but during COVID, I was feeling stuck.” She illustrated the tension that skilled migrants face: professional ambition versus family, culture, and long-term personal priorities. Reflecting on visa constraints, she wrote, “With the visa uncertainty, we don’t know how long we can even stay here,” while acknowledging the emotional pull of home: “Most days I’m content here. But sometimes, I miss home so much.” Her story captures a larger truth: for H-1B holders, career planning is inseparable from personal and cultural anchors.
Anti-America narrative and global insight
Global developments and domestic policy shifts have further complicated the narrative. Donald Trump’s recent call for American companies to “stop hiring in India” has ignited sharp debates. According to a Blind poll conducted between July 28 and August 8, 2025, 63 per cent of US-based professionals felt the move could benefit their firms, while 69 per cent of India-based respondents believed it would harm their companies. This discourse has fueled an anti-America narrative among skilled professionals, highlighting growing disillusionment with a system that once symbolized opportunity.
Where would Indians return? Poll findings
The Blind poll also explored practical outcomes if Indians were forced to leave the US after a job loss: 45 per cent said they would return to India, 26 per cent would relocate to another country, and 29 per cent remained undecided. Key deterrents to leaving included pay cuts (25 per cent), lower quality of life (24 per cent), cultural or family adjustment (13 per cent), and fewer job opportunities (10 per cent). Only 35 per cent expressed willingness to pursue a US work visa again, while the remaining 65 per cent were either unsure (27 per cent) or outright negative (38 per cent).
Why Indians are considering a return
The reasons driving a potential return to India are multifaceted. Proximity to family, cultural familiarity, and robust social networks create a strong pull. India’s tech hubs, particularly Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune, offer competitive roles that allow professionals to leverage international experience while maintaining connections to home. Lower living costs, fewer visa uncertainties, and opportunities to ascend into leadership roles further strengthen the argument for repatriation. Generic considerations—stability, lifestyle alignment, and mental well-being—add additional weight to these decisions.
Policy changes heighten uncertainty
Cross-border mobility, once an unambiguous advantage, now comes with complex trade-offs. Visa dependency, sudden deportation risks, and regulatory shifts such as the proposed “Weighted Selection Process for Registrants and Petitioners Seeking to File Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions” by the US Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, which could replace the lottery with a wage-based system, have further heightened unpredictability for H-1B holders. These changes make long-term career planning more challenging and add to the growing uncertainty surrounding professional life in the US.
