A major row has erupted over a viral post by Indian technologist Gautam Dey, who lamented that he could not visit his dying mother for the last time due to delay in visa stamping.
After Gautam Dey shared on LinkedIn about not being able to travel to India to see his dying mother one last time due to consular issues, a huge controversy erupted with many people pointing out that he should have chosen his mother back home instead of his life in the US.
Many social media users wondered how he could live in the United States for 20 years under the H-1B visa program — with his family — and why he expected something else to happen when he knew his life in the United States was temporary and chose money when it came to a critical situation like this. However, many experts, including Indian-origin entrepreneurs, sided with Dey and said the backlash was unwarranted as there could be many factors that could prevent Dey from getting a green card.
“If America is no longer a place where people feel empowered to be the best versions of themselves as they celebrate, struggle and grieve, then it will cease to be just a land of opportunity but also a land of dignity and purpose,” said Sam Beck, an immigration policy analyst.
Indian-origin businessman Vijay Thirumalai called MAGA, who mocked Dey and asked why he did not become a permanent resident of the United States 20 years ago.
“All those talking about why he did this, H1B is a dual intent visa (dual intent to work and final route goes to GC) which is now in disarray due to old state caps,” Thirumalai posted, calling the incident “very sad overall.” He also mentioned other reasons that made the choice difficult for Day.“So all the MAGA members talking about what H1Bs should and shouldn’t do, stop proselytizing and go after illegal immigrants, not honest tax paying Indians because once they decide that, all the equity you have built in your comfy homes, all the tech dominance and everything else will collapse,” Thirumalai posted.
“I chose money over motherhood”
Gautam Dey wrote in his heartfelt post on LinkedIn that he cannot go to India because he cannot get an appointment to get his visa stamped in India. He said he sent the hospital documents to the consulate explaining the urgency of India visiting him, but even after trying for 26 days, he could not get an appointment and his mother died. If he travels to India without an appointment to stamp his visa, he will not be able to return to the United States and will have to wait in India for several months until the appointment opens.Thousands of H-1B visa holders who traveled to India last December were stranded in their home country as all visa periods were rescheduled and, as of now, there are no new slots open.“You don’t have to measure success once you leave home. Because no career dream should put you in a position where you have to choose between your mother’s last moments and your children’s future. I lost that choice. I will carry this pain forever,” Day wrote, but users criticized him, saying he himself chose money over his mother.
