A Minneapolis-based data scientist spoke out against the H-1B visa policy after his friend, an Indian professional, was forced to leave the United States despite spending eight years building her life in the country. Nathan Platter in a post on his LinkedIn highlighted the challenges H-1B workers face when they lose their jobs, including the strict 60-day deadline to find new employment or face deportation.Platter shared the story of his friend, who spent four years on an undergraduate degree, two years on a master’s, and two years working in the US. After recently losing her job, she was unable to find a new employer willing to sponsor her H-1B visa and had no choice but to return to India.“We let her study here. Work here. Pay taxes here. And now we’re kicking her out?
My friend is moving back to India after 8 years in the U.S. (4 undergrad + 2 grad school + 2 working) because she couldn’t land a new job in the arbitrary 60-day grace period for H1B visa holders,” said Platter in his post.He added that his friend had worked 14-hour days and contributed significantly to her team, yet she still had to uproot her life in Austin, Texas, and leave the country.“She has to uproot her life in Austin, say goodbye to her community, and take all that talent out of the US economy. BACK TO INDIA!” he said. “This policy is ridiculous.”Platter warned that the current policy risks training and educating talented individuals only to lose them to other countries. “We need better ways to retain international talent,” he said, calling for a rehaul of the H-1B system.“H1B needs a complete overhaul. Not next year. NOW,” he added.
