When she lost her job at Google last month, Jingjing Tan started worrying about her dog, an energetic, 75-pound German shepherd.

As a foreign worker living in the U.S. on a temporary work visa, if she couldn’t find a job within 60 days, she feared she might have to return to her home country, China. In big Chinese cities, where tech jobs are, keeping large dogs as pets often isn’t allowed.

She also fretted she might have to sell or rent out her house, which she bought in the Bay Area last year. Ms. Tan’s husband—who is also in the U.S. on an H1B visa and works in tech—remains employed. But they are concerned about his job as well.

“We’re anxious every day,” says Ms. Tan, who has lived in the U.S. since 2018.

Layoffs have rippled across the tech industry, with more than 257,000 job cuts since last year.

Given the pullback in tech, laid-off foreign workers seeking new jobs are in especially bad straits, says Leena Sujan, who runs a tech-focused recruiting firm. Many tech companies she works with are telling her they are reluctant to move ahead with hires, whether candidates have H1B visas or not.

“We’re at a screeching halt right now,” she says.

The number of tech jobs in the U.S. declined by 32,000 last month, according to IT industry trade group CompTIA. There were 269,000 tech job postings in January, CompTIA says, down from a record high of 394,000 job postings last March.

While there is no reliable way to track how many workers on temporary visas have been laid off, those in the industry estimate that tens of thousands have been affected. Foreign-born workers, including green-card holders, naturalized citizens and those on temporary work visas, account for nearly one-quarter of all workers in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and math, according to a 2019 estimate from the American Immigration Council, up from 16% in 2000.
If H1B workers can’t find new employment within a few weeks, or apply to transfer to another visa, they must leave the U.S. In other cases, immigration lawyers who specialize in employment law say, those laid off while traveling outside the U.S. now find themselves stuck outside of the country, with their work visa no longer valid for re-entry.

They range from those who have been in the U.S. for decades to recent graduates like Sushant Arora, who received his master’s degree in project management in the U.S. in 2021 and until last month was employed as an analyst at a data-analytics company in Boston.

Mr. Arora, an Indian national who was laid off last month, says a 60-day timetable to find a new job isn’t nearly enough, given the amount of time it often takes to hear back from prospective employers and advance through technical tests and interview rounds.


“It’s like a nightmare,” he says. Since being laid off, Mr. Arora estimates he has applied for between 500 and 600 jobs and had three interviews. Given the current job market, he says he would be happy for any opportunity that comes his way: “I can’t be picky.”

In some cases, laid-off tech workers find themselves in an uneasy limbo, as in the case of Neuman Vong, who until December worked for Twitter on a temporary work visa available to Australian nationals. Mr. Vong was on vacation in Malaysia when he learned he was laid off.
To avoid complications, he has been staying in his home country of Australia. His neighbor in Los Angeles has been taking his car for occasional drives so the battery won’t die. Another friend is watering his plants. His apartment sits empty.
As a worker on a temporary visa, he says he has felt a constant pressure to hustle and prove his worth.
“I’ve been fighting so hard to stay in the U.S. for the last decade,” says Mr. Vong, who has lived in California for most of that time: “California is my home; all my friends are there.”

The 60-day grace period that foreign workers have to remain in the U.S. and try to secure new jobs doesn’t apply to those who are laid off while abroad, says Hiba Mona Anver, a partner at Erickson Immigration Group, a law firm based in Arlington, Va. If a worker on a temporary work visa has their role terminated while they are traveling out of the country, she says, that visa is no longer valid for re-entry unless the worker manages to secure another job while abroad.

Some companies have been extending foreign employees’ termination dates to try to give them more of a cushion to find a new role, says Sophie Alcorn, founder of the Silicon Valley-based Alcorn Immigration Law, which advises tech companies that hire foreign workers. But in most cases, companies have scant obligations to such workers. In the case of H1B visas, she says, the most common temporary work visa held by tech workers, the only legal requirement companies have is to notify federal authorities of a worker’s termination and pay for their airfare home.

Companies aren’t allowed to consider national origin when determining whom to terminate, Ms. Alcorn says. “It’s at-will employment,” she says. “Anyone can quit, and anyone can be fired.”

Wow...this doesn't look good

Reinaldo:
Wow...this doesn't look good

No, it doesn’t. It’s even worse for people like the guy who was laid off while out of the country. Those people are denied re-entry until they apply for and get approved for another visa.
The companies that are doing the layoffs are ruthless about reporting everything to USICS immediately so that visas they sponsored can be cancelled right on the 61st day if the employee hasn’t found work because they don’t want to be responsible for the employee staying behind, risk their ability to hire foreign workers in the future.

Japa candidates, gather here and learn o.

Worried about her dog I can never understand the obsession with dogs for these people. I see posts like that on LinkedIn regularly when they lose their jobs and have to find another in 60 days. The usa immigration is very brutal, thats why many resort to marriage whether real or fake

In some cases, laid-off tech workers find themselves in an uneasy limbo, as in the case of Neuman Vong, who until December worked for Twitter on a temporary work visa available to Australian nationals. Mr. Vong was on vacation in Malaysia when he learned he was laid off.
To avoid complications, he has been staying in his home country of Australia. His neighbor in Los Angeles has been taking his car for occasional drives so the battery won’t die. Another friend is watering his plants. His apartment sits empty.
As a worker on a temporary visa, he says he has felt a constant pressure to hustle and prove his worth.
“I’ve been fighting so hard to stay in the U.S. for the last decade,” says Mr. Vong, who has lived in California for most of that time: “California is my home; all my friends are there.”

These folks are too over-pampered, and quite ignorant of the benefits their citizenship offers them. Australians, Singaporeans and one other country's nationals benefit from employment-based visas such that they don't have to participate in the same pool as everyone else. Singaporeans have 2, 500 visas meant for them per year. Australia should be more than that.

I dare say he did fight hard enough. Ten years is way more than enough to be a permanent resident of the US as an Australian national. Anyway, he is an Australian. Re-settling would not be as drastic as an Indian or Nigerian.

BTW, having a dog to let go is even better than having to sell off one's property at below-market prices. I think the average human being is too optimistic - people getting married, birthing children, putting them in school, and making huge investments on a temporary visa. Did they think the job was forever? Companies no dey sack people? Do they know the number of workers oil firms sacked since 2015-2020? How can you build your life on a temporary visa?

@OP: Your article has no source, and as an advice, place the article in between quotes "

|

" to avoid other commenters from quoting the entire body, thereby making it too long to write just a few words.

ednut1:
Worried about her dog I can never understand the obsession with dogs for these people. I see posts like that on LinkedIn regularly when they lose their jobs and have to find another in 60 days. The usa immigration is very brutal, thats why many resort to marriage whether real or fake

Dem don chop food belly full na. Their type full Lekki-Ajah axis. They are also here, and whenever I see them come, I move to the next side. The kind race wey I run from a dog chase in Port-Harcourt left an indelible experience in my life.

I am very cynophobic.

That said, while the US system is brutal, for folks who have stayed at least ten years, they did not play their cards well or were too optimistic. How person go dey country ten years without planning to become a permanent resident, yet don born two children put for school on a temporary visa? What sort of optimism is that?

1stGenAmerican:


No, it doesn’t. It’s even worse for people like the guy who was laid off while out of the country. Those people are denied re-entry until they apply for and get approved for another visa.
The companies that are doing the layoffs are ruthless about reporting everything to USICS immediately so that visas they sponsored can be cancelled right on the 61st day if the employee hasn’t found work because they don’t want to be responsible for the employee staying behind, risk their ability to hire foreign workers in the future.

I am curious, from a pragmatic POV, how easy is it to marry an American citizen as a black African man, say a Nigerian? Obviously, his first options will be second-generation Nigerians/other black African females, Caribbean and African American women. Then, white women, naturalised Latinos, East Asian and maybe, _{just maybe Indian women}.

Let's assume this Nigerian male worked for Facebook before this tech retrenchment.

Painful.

How can someone on a temporary visa buy a house? Is it witchcraft. Some have been there since 2012 and no green card, why didn't they do Canada express entry when it started. Mtscheew

tensazangetsu20:
How can someone on a temporary visa buy a house? Is it witchcraft. Some have been there since 2012 and no green card, why didn't they do Canada express entry when it started. Mtscheew

Seriously ehn. My wonder is even wondering sef...

I guess they are so used to being comfortable that they feel it will continue to be like that.

I trust my fellow Nigerians to have done something to solidify their footing.

ferhyntorlah:


Seriously ehn. My wonder is even wondering sef...

I guess they are so used to being comfortable that they feel it will continue to be like that.

I trust my fellow Nigerians to have done something to solidify their footing.

Gbam I swear how can you be on H1B for ten years and counting you didn't solidify your stay you even married a fellow H1B holder lol.

Gerrard59:


I am curious, from a pragmatic POV, how easy is it to marry an American citizen as a black African man, say a Nigerian? Obviously, his first options will be second-generation Nigerians/other black African females, Caribbean and African American women. Then, white women, naturalised Latinos, East Asian and maybe, _{just maybe Indian women}.

Let's assume this Nigerian male worked for Facebook before this tech retrenchment.

these are people who came from privileged backgrounds. They see no need to hustle for stay thinking their money ans skills will sort them out.

Gerrard59:


I am curious, from a pragmatic POV, how easy is it to marry an American citizen as a black African man, say a Nigerian? Obviously, his first options will be second-generation Nigerians/other black African females, Caribbean and African American women. Then, white women, naturalised Latinos, East Asian and maybe, _{just maybe Indian women}.

Let's assume this Nigerian male worked for Facebook before this tech retrenchment.

Just cuz H1B is your only dream and ambition in life, and success doesn't mean it's the same for everyone. I've seen and spoken with individuals who just desire to make money while working in the US for few years and just get the fuvk out. They said they can't withstand staying donkey years feeling not among just because of H1B. These categories spend some thousands dollars getting a degree, and quickly convert to a job. Get their ROI, and get out

While living and dying in the west is what ah average Nigerian dream for since time immemorial due to the way we've been conditioned to be a pavlovian dog to anything West, some people don't actually care, they just want to reap the money and keep it moving

Gerrard59:


I am curious, from a pragmatic POV, how easy is it to marry an American citizen as a black African man, say a Nigerian? Obviously, his first options will be second-generation Nigerians/other black African females, Caribbean and African American women. Then, white women, naturalised Latinos, East Asian and maybe, _{just maybe Indian women}.

Let's assume this Nigerian male worked for Facebook before this tech retrenchment.

Definitely not as easy as it used to be thanks to bad apples. American women are more reluctant to even date a guy without papers because they’ve seen different scams played out on other American women.

1stGenAmerican:


Definitely not as easy as it used to be thanks to bad apples. American women are more reluctant to even date a guy without papers because they’ve seen different scams played out on other American women.

some fat women, women with multiple kids , women with low self esteem dont mind 🤣🤣

Niceguy06:


Just cuz H1B is your only dream and ambition in life, and success doesn't mean it's the same for everyone. I've seen and spoken with individuals who just desire to make money while working in the US for few years and just get the fuvk out. They said they can't withstand staying donkey years feeling not among just because of H1B. These categories spend some thousands dollars getting a degree, and quickly convert to a job. Get their ROI, and get out

While living and dying in the west is what ah average Nigerian dream for since time immemorial due to the way we've been conditioned to be a pavlovian dog to anything West, some people don't actually care, they just want to reap the money and keep it moving

Maybe Canadians, Japanese, Germans, Singaporeans etc. If not, why the lamentations regarding the 60 days ultimatum? For citizens of developing countries, eventual naturalisation is the final goal, if not someone who has spent sixteen years at Google wouldn't be complaining that she was sacked and has to find a new job within two months.

Even the Australian mentioned is lamenting, if na so e be, why lament? He should have resigned a long time ago and move on. Those people you spoke to are likely from very wealthy families and most likely citizens of richer countries.

Gerrard59:


Maybe Canadians, Japanese, Germans, Singaporeans etc. If not, why the lamentations regarding the 60 days ultimatum? For citizens of developing countries, eventual naturalisation is the final goal, if not someone who has spent sixteen years at Google wouldn't be complaining that she was sacked and has to find a new job within two months.

Even the Australian mentioned is lamenting, if na so e be, why lament? He should have resigned a long time ago and move on. Those people you spoke to are likely from very wealthy families and most likely citizens of richer countries.

Not necessarily. I have a Ghanaian friend wey we suppose hustle H1B together that year, dude told me he ain't interested no more and left to take a job with an insurance company in Rwanda. I left the west few years after, too. Too much of hidden bureaucracies. H1B has turn to game, and they use it to control us, especially when they know you have no other options than to stay and succumb to crumbs. I didn't regret leaving. It's been 5yrs and it can only get better. I give thanks to God

Gerrard59:


Men get mind ooo They will willingly marry baby-whales?

But if it was that common, why the lamentations regarding knack o before entering the UK?

People don't understand how this thing works. No young, beautiful, prospect ladened White girl or in fact, any other girl will willingly date a black guy for marriage, except of course you're really good looking, speak well and have your shit together. I see Nigerian guys getting deluded a lot on here about white chicks and other chicks abroad dying to date a Nigerian man. While the reality is that an average Nigerian man, who's short of the look standard, hasn't getting laid for years And is probably tired of wanking. The western world is deluded, and if you don't have what it takes to survive there, you're on a long thing

Niceguy06:


Not necessarily. I have a Ghanaian friend wey we suppose hustle H1B together that year, dude told me he ain't interested no more and left to take a job with an insurance company in Rwanda. I left the west few years after, too. Too much of hidden bureaucracies. H1B has turn to game, and they use it to control us, especially when they know you have no other options than to stay and succumb to crumbs. I didn't regret leaving. It's been 5yrs and it can only get better. I give thanks to God

Oh! I see. Fair enough.

1stGenAmerican:


No, it doesn’t. It’s even worse for people like the guy who was laid off while out of the country. Those people are denied re-entry until they apply for and get approved for another visa.
The companies that are doing the layoffs are ruthless about reporting everything to USICS immediately so that visas they sponsored can be cancelled right on the 61st day if the employee hasn’t found work because they don’t want to be responsible for the employee staying behind, risk their ability to hire foreign workers in the future.

True. You seem to have lots of knowledge about this.

They can look for minimum wage jobs and stop whining. Go clean old white people's nyash like what Africans have been doing for years.

hodari:
They can look for minimum wage jobs and stop whining. Go clean old white people's nyash like what Africans have been doing for years.

from Silicon Valley tech job to wipe yansh Nah they would rather go home. Those jobs wont sponsor too as people dey ground wella in usa to do it.

Niceguy06:



People don't understand how this thing works. No young, beautiful, prospect ladened White girl or in fact, any other girl will willingly date a black guy for marriage, except of course you're really good looking, speak well and have your shit together. I see Nigerian guys getting deluded a lot on here about white chicks and other chicks abroad dying to date a Nigerian man. While the reality is that an average Nigerian man, [b]who's short of the look standard, hasn't getting laid for years And is probably tired of wanking. [/b]The western world is deluded, and if you don't have what it takes to survive there, you're on a long thing

It seems one should undergo a penectomy if they can't get married in naija before Japa. At least if the thing doesn't exist, you have no urges to self-service or shit.

tensazangetsu20:


It seems one should undergo a penectomy if they can't get married in naija before Japa. At least if the thing doesn't exist, you have no urges to self-service or shit.

Yes. The "there's no sex abroad" you see people making videos about is true. Some stays 7years without, even, a peck, not to talk of sex.

Niceguy06:


Yes. The "there's no sex abroad" you see people making videos about is true. Some stays 7years without, even, a peck, not to talk of sex.

Nna men. I have heard the same thing over 100 times o

hodari:
They can look for minimum wage jobs and stop whining. Go clean old white people's nyash like what Africans have been doing for years.

LoL. Are you kidding? You think yansh washing is a glory? Person leave google, Tesla and perhaps other well paid silicon valley only to be washing yansh? What happen to going back to his country and find other decent things to do with his life? Must his life revolve around the West alone?