Being here in the US on a work Visa, I tried the learn about the path that you can go on from here. One would think that the H1B is the first step to become a citizen of the promise land, but the truth is that it’s far from it. Let’s explain: the H1B is a temporary work visa. This means that once the visa expires you have to go. The US and the employer thank you for your valuable contribution (technically you have done highly a specialized job and helped the American economy. for that you get a good compensation and a pat on the back). Let’s be clear: what happens is that the US can and will try to protect its work force and in respect to your status you will always be a second choice. Always.
“Welcome to the Second Class Citizen Pool”. Hope you’ll enjoy your stay here.
What happens, is that most visa holders, as far as I understood at least, will try to get a green card (meaning that you’ll get the right to reside permanently as opposed to temporary in the case of the H1B). Also the immigration intent in the case of the green card (which BTW are of pink color) is clear. The process you must go through is, in my opinion, an abomination. It’s the pure expression of rules upon regulations (with added complexity by each specific case) state that reigns over every aspect here in the US. It’s a process designed to remind you at every step that you’re at the discretion of the US government and the discretion of your employer. They won’t say it because it’s not politically correct, but the way that this is done is as a favor is being made to you, an outsider. The length in time until this favor is made, if all the planets correctly align, is a few years. (where few is anywhere in the 3+ years range depending on what’s the country in which you are born, what studies you have etc).
That’s simply hilarious.
To spice things up, add to that the current economic situation (not the best one muhaha) and you have all the right ingredients to push away valuable people.
It’s funny to see how people that are essentially immigrants at origins push laws and regulations to prevent the phenomenon (ie immigration) that is somewhat fundamental to what the US is today.
Here you go (prepare your tears for the American worker Ads):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cNnK2M4OTs