I work with many Indian co-workers, each in various statuses of their citizenship process from H1-B/green card/naturalized. I can honestly say that, as someone born in the U.S., I don't truly appreciate what it means to hold U.S. Citizenship, even after seeing the paperwork/"identured-servitude" to sponsoring company stuff I've seen. In America, the freedom to quit your job and find a new one, does not necessarily translate to those of H1-B status.
- Typically do not quit their jobs (and fear losing them), because their next employer must be found quickly and be willing to sponsor their stay. If they cannot find such an employer, they must leave the country.
- Run a (small) risk every single time they travel that they will not be allowed back into the country, to some extent at the discretion of a border guard.
- Must jump through hoops just to have family members present, and there have been cases where stupid things happen (like wife is allowed in, but one of two children is not; or, the family members are granted entry at completely different times that may be months apart).
- Are charged huge fees for government forms and by the lawyers who are often necessary to prepare forms (costs which might be covered by their company, if they're lucky).
- Can wait years...and years...and years...for a green card, for no apparent reason. The government can be silent for many months, and only periodically ask for more information when the application reaches the next stage. Oh, and the information prepared in advance for each stage, such as a medical exam, can expire if they don't reach it soon enough.
Most of these steps, in my opinion, are not really "helping", they are just adding bureaucracy and causing unnecessary frustration for human beings who are trying to live their lives.
Your second point is the most salient for me - I've worked in the US on a J-1 visa and will be returning soon on a TN... going home to see my folks is a concept that scares the bejeesus out of me.
Something most Americans don't fully appreciate is just how bad their border situation is - power-tripping customs officers who will turn a non-citizen around for no reason at all. Unreasonable searches, rudeness, and downright being an asshole.
I cannot recall a single instance of crossing the US border where the customs officer was courteous. When I crossed via Vancouver airport, there was an elderly gentleman who had trouble walking, and was shuffling slowly up to the counter when called. The officer in charge berated him as he walked to the counter, and insulted his inability to walk.
This is what we, non-Americans, deal with when we visit your country. FIX THIS.
That's what you have to do in America - that's not what you have to do in any other country. My coworkers in the US have remarked on this also - they visit Canada often and have never been given shit by a border guard; even when hassled, Canadian border guards are always polite.
Consider that for many people this will be their first interaction with an American at the beginning of their trip, it should be a higher priority that these people behave themselves.
But sometimes when the immigrants(like me) have lived a major part of his youth life in a different culture and adjusted there with the society, people, etc, they tend to feel associated with the new country. (I think it all depends on the age you came to the country)
I think the US immigration system needs a new and improved modern look. I would not deny the fact that certain companies/people do exploit the H1-B Visa due to loopholes in it. This definitely brings a bad name to entire group and also puts into question the validity of the H1-B program and I am totally with my American Citizen's on that, but in certain situation they do need foreign talent. The H1-B program needs a fine tuning.
