Indian Immigrant’s US Dilemma: A Journey of Aspirations and Sacrifices

• An Indian who migrated to USA for a living pondered over a question: Am I better off here, or should I have stayed back home?

• The answer remains elusive, a silent companion in the immigrant’s lifelong journey

PRAVASISAMWAD.COM

For many Indians, migrating to the United States is a pursuit of career advancement and financial security. The journey begins with years of dedication—completing a degree, navigating the Optional Practical Training (OPT) phase, securing a stable job, and adjusting to a new way of life. This process alone takes a minimum of four to five years.

Then comes the struggle to protect the life they have painstakingly built. The complexities of H-1B visa applications, green card backlogs, and immigration hurdles define the next phase. During this time, personal milestones unfold—marriage, the birth of children, and the continuous effort to establish a sense of stability.

• Returning to India often brings a profound realization: they no longer belong there either

• The streets, the cities, and the people they once knew have changed, just as they have

• The warmth of family is now mixed with a sense of detachment

• Nephews and nieces have grown up, unfamiliar with the distant relatives who visit every few years with gifts in hand

The subsequent decade is often a mix of progress and emotional challenges. Many find themselves buying homes, integrating into communities, and creating social circles. However, as they chase the American dream, life in India moves forward without pause.

Parents grow older, cousins get married at inopportune times, and loved ones pass away. Visa restrictions, work obligations, and financial concerns make it impossible to be present for these significant moments. The result? A widening emotional gap between the individual and their roots.

For their children, the absence of a strong extended family structure is palpable. Without the presence of grandparents, aunts, uncles, or cousins, the nuclear family becomes their entire world.

Spouses often find themselves isolated in a foreign land, with limited emotional support. Friendships, which once seemed unbreakable, are tested by comparisons—who received a green card first, who bought the biggest house, who drives a luxury car, who climbed the corporate ladder fastest. Over time, social dynamics shift, and many find themselves questioning the authenticity of their relationships.

With age and experience, many immigrants turn back to their cultural roots, engaging more with regional communities, Indian associations, places of worship, and volunteer activities. Political beliefs evolve in response to their circumstances—some embrace a liberal perspective, while others lean towards conservatism.

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