Ananya Joshi loved her life in Chicago. After moving from India for a master’s degree in biotechnology at Northwestern University, she landed a $75,000-a-year job as a scientist at a lab-grown meat startup in 2024. She was doing research, living in an affordable apartment in a suburb, and road-tripping with friends on weekends. But her
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Luciana Pereyra, a 25-year-old Peruvian national who moved to the US at 17 on a tennis scholarship, lost her H-1B-sponsored job in 2025, and had to return to Peru. It has been edited for length and clarity. I was born and raised in Lima, Peru, and
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Disha Lamba, 28, who lives in Gurugram, India. The following has been edited for length and clarity. I was born and raised in India. As an introvert, I liked being in my comfort zone, but my dad dreamed of sending me to the US for my
This As Told Essay is based on a conversation with Tanvi Pisal, a 29-year-old UX designer from India. He went through two layoffs in one year while working in the United States. It has been edited for length and clarity. I have always seen the United States as the land of opportunity. I grew up
This As-Told essay is based on a conversation with Mohamed Zeeshan, 32, an Indian citizen and green card holder, who lives in Arlington, Virginia. The following has been edited for length and clarity. My parents are both Indian. I was born in Indonesia because my father’s job took him there, but we returned to India
This essay as told is based on a conversation with Ananya Joshi, a 26-year-old Indian citizen who lost her job in 2025, had to leave the United States due to her visa status, and moved to Germany in search of a new opportunity. It has been edited for length and clarity. I inherited the American
