Immigrant brain drain in Silicon Valley

Siva Singaram, one of the founder members of ImmigrationVoice.Org has been interviewed on NBC nightly news. He presented his case of not being able to invest and contribute to the U.S. economy as he has no green card even after years of waiting. His current option is to go back to India and start up a company there.

"Currently I've got an idea for a startup company," says Singaram. "It's in the field of Internet advertising." But because he has no green card, he'll have to return to India to start his company. Singaram and his wife Sangeetha, expecting a baby in May, are here on temporary skilled workers visas. By law, only 65,000 people a year can get those visas and it's difficult for them to become permanent residents.

Check out the video link on the news article page to see what was broadcasted.

Do you see the irony here? People with talent should be invited to stay. Instead they are given the hope of a green card and kept in limbo for years. Then they start to beg and plead for the green card and their ability to continue with their lives. You can't make important decisions about life like buying a house, starting a family. It all depends on whether you will be here 2 to 3 years from now. And all this while, there is this hope that you may get the green card in the next 6 months. They never say you will not get the green card. I would be more happy if they review my application and say that it is denied in a month rather than it being accepted after 5 years in limbo. Do you need to spend 5 years of your life in frustration, without being able to plan anything?

So guys, I am not discouraging you from moving to the U.S. but be wary of the permanent residency process. Stay here for a few years, earn good money and enjoy life. When you're ready to settle down, buy that next plane ticket and leave here for good, otherwise you'll end up like me 5 years later, frustrated and writing a blog while at work. Cheers!

News Link: Immigrant brain drain in Silicon Valley