Green Card Backlog Playing With Indian Lives In America

The anxiety of being stuck green card backlog and visa delays is resulting in serious health issues, and yet, no one is talking about this silent stress playing havoc in the lives of many on non-immigrant visas in America.

Anu Kumar, an H-4 EAD holder, who lives and works in Kentucky, spoke to one of the reputed newspapers over the phone. "I received a WhatsApp message about a colleague’s wife last evening that suffered a miscarriage," she said. "Her gynecologist suspects that this may be because of stress." It was no secret to the couple’s friends that the family was in the stress because of their pending H-1B extension application. They were worried about stability in their lives. Their endless wait for GC (green card), and investment they had made in the US, and the fear of visa rejection at a time when they would need medical insurance for pregnancy was weighed heavily on their minds. There are many other Indians like Anu, affected by the uncertainty of their status.

Sudhir Soni, Indian on L-1 visa in the US said, "Every week, I get at least one GoFundMe update about an Indian who had a premature death. Many Indians who are active in immigration groups online admit that there is an increase in the number of young deaths and GoFundMe updates. People are dying because of this stress. I would urge people to share their minds. Don’t keep the stress with you. H-1B denial or RFE (request for evidence) is not the end of the world."

Indian families in Texas are still mourning the loss of 39-year-old Sreedhar Digajarla, who died suddenly due to a cardiac arrest late last month. In December, NJ based Rajesh Sumra suffered a severe stroke and now faces a brave recovery in the rehab. Netra Chavan, who manages the largest immigration Facebook group, says she is no stranger to people’s stress and anxiety on a visa.

Chavan daily gets several messages from people who are worried about their status and future owing to visa delays. She encourages them to talk to others in a similar situation and seek help from immigration attorneys as well as doctors. The Indian green card backlog community is continuously helping the American economy; they certainly do not deserve this health scare.