After Job loss, Indians in the U.S. Now Face ‘Visa Issues' to Return to India: Report

Various Indians who have been employed in the U.S. with H1B Visas, have children who are American citizens by birth. As these Indians lost their jobs recently, they are forced to return to India. However, their travel is now restricted by the Indian government.

The Indian government last month released certain restrictions and regulations which were updated last week, regarding the visas of foreign nationals and OCI cards, which provide visa-free travel privileges to the people of Indian-origin. According to the latest update, these have been suspended as part of the new international travel restrictions. As Indians in the U.S. with H1B Visa, are losing their jobs, they are finding it difficult to travel back, with their families.

The H1B Visa necessitates Indians to leave the U.S. within 60 days of losing their jobs. However, since many of the children born to Indians in the U.S. are not able to acquire their visa, a petition was filed at the White house to provide them with more time, 60-180 days. Unfortunately, Trump’s administration has not responded to this petition yet.

“I would like to request the Indian government to let us fly back home. I don’t want to stay in the U.S. any longer,” a single Indian mom told PTI, hours after being prevented from boarding an Ahmedabad-bound flight as her 3-months-old infant was not permitted with a Visa.

“We would like to express our disappointment with the discrimination between OCIs and citizens in respect of entering India at this critical stage when many OCIs have lawfully built their homes, families and businesses in India,” Bhandari, New-York based community leader, said in a letter to Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Monday.