Skilled foreign workers consider leaving the US

These highly skilled and highly educated foreign workers have documented difficulties in trying to build a career in the United States, and “if they can't find a job, they have to leave the country.” “We sent in 907 applications.'' “Have we ever really relaxed in America?'' They require H-1B visas, which are awarded through a lottery system that allows U.S. companies to hire highly skilled international professionals for up to six years in industries such as technology and health care. But the Trump administration has made changes to the program to make more jobs available to Americans, including requiring companies to pay higher fees and implementing new rules that prioritize higher-wage foreign workers. This is forcing some foreigners to reconsider their career plans. “I think the United States is still the gold standard.” Wen-Hsing Huang came to the United States from Taiwan in 2022 to work in the technology industry and was hired by Amazon on an H-1B visa. “I want to use my talents to change the world, and I think the United States was the best platform to do that,” said Ananya Joshi, who came from India to attend a master's program in Chicago in 2022. “So, I actually carried on my father's dream because my father couldn't go due to financial reasons.'' Haina, a Chinese national, fell in love with America while studying abroad in New York. She received her H-1B in 2022. “I remember there were a lot of companies willing to sponsor me,” said Haina, who has experienced recent changes that have made it difficult to find companies to sponsor H-1B visas. “When I was job hunting this time, I didn't know it could be a deal breaker. I just had my second interview for 2026, and it was a pretty short interview.” (Recruiter) “I don't think we're qualified or capable of sponsoring this role at this point.” “They don't really know if I'm qualified or not, if I have the experience, etc. The decision has already been made at that point.” “Check to see if the company you're going to work for has experience recruiting foreigners.'' Joshi said the startup company she interned with during graduate school reneged on its promise to sponsor her H-1B visa. “I had to request everything in writing. And there were contract jobs. They would just deny me. They only needed someone with a green card or U.S. citizenship.” Despite being H-1B eligible and earning a six-figure salary, Huang said he found himself insecure as tech layoffs increased and President Trump's immigration policies continued to change. “I wake up every morning with a knot in my stomach because my life has depended on policies that I have no control over. The United States doesn't seem to be very welcoming to immigrants who contribute to this country.” “The signals right now are pretty clear: They want to make this H-1B, but it's risky, and it's also difficult.” Hello, everyone. “Nevertheless, Haina says she is determined to keep looking for work until she is forced to leave the country. “The pressure of my next career or where I am in my life. It just became impossible to enjoy life or just be happy.” “So I had to leave America. Of course, I expanded my search beyond America and found a job in Germany.” I started a new role at a European biotech company in March. “I think I quit at a good time because it would have been more stressful. I almost got stuck in a loop.” “It's a never-ending cycle of anxiety.” After quitting her job at Amazon, Huang is now planning to return to Taiwan and start her own company. “I'm betting on building an AI company that gives me complete control over my time, place, and future. Staying in the U.S. is no longer the only way to achieve my American dream.”