She Was Picked for an H-1B Visa on Her First Try, but Got Laid Off

Raised in Kolkata, she came to the United States at age 19 and later earned an H-1B visa on her first attempt. The article follows her experience building a life in the United States for nearly 13 years, developing a career, friendships, and a sense of belonging in a country she grew to call home. It opens with her reflection on the long arc of adaptation: a person who describes feeling oddly close to the U.S. even before she ever visited, and who worked to establish stability through every challenge. Her story takes a hard turn when she is laid off and given a 60-day window to pack up and leave. The abrupt change underscores the fragility of status tied to employment within the employer-sponsored visa system, where job loss can rapidly alter one's plans and housing, health insurance, and long-term future. The narrative also addresses the emotional toll of separating from a life built over years, including connections to family in India and the weighing of options, staying if another visa path exists, returning to India, or restarting in a different country. Throughout, the piece presents a factual, compassionate account of how immigration rules intersect with personal livelihood, identity, and the search for stability in an uncertain moment. It also highlights the resilience and practical steps people take, from legal counsel to exploring new sponsorships, while keeping cultural ties alive across continents.