(UNITED STATES) A viral video of an Indian food delivery worker in tears, saying “they don’t like to talk to immigrants… I am going to be a citizen, but my heart is sad,” has pushed a private worry into the public square: for many Indians, working and studying in the United States now feels different. The numbers show rising success and presence in top fields. The mood, however, reflects growing strain. Data from the latest Open Doors report and U.S. visa records reveal sharp growth in Indian students and workers, even as political debates and social hostility intensify around the H-1B program and post-study work.
Data driving the debate
The scale of Indian participation in U.S. education and high-skill work is striking.
- In fiscal year 2024, 141,205 initial H‑1B petitions were approved, and Indians received about 71% of them, with median salaries near $120,000, especially in computer science.
- The H‑1B visa is sponsored by a U.S. employer and filed on Form I‑129, which must outline the job and the worker’s qualifications. Employers use this nonimmigrant category to fill specialty roles that require at least a bachelor’s degree.
- For authoritative guidance, see the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services overview of H‑1B requirements at USCIS.gov.
Education trends mirror the rise in employment numbers.
- The Open Doors Report 2023–24 shows India overtook China as the top source of international students, with 331,602 Indians in U.S. schools.
- Of those, 97,556 were on Optional Practical Training (OPT), a year‑over‑year jump of 41%.
- Indians make up nearly half of STEM OPT participants, reflecting employer demand for their skills.
- OPT allows F‑1 students to work in their field after graduation by filing Form I‑765 for employment authorization; STEM graduates may qualify for a 24‑month extension.
- Among Indian PhDs in science and engineering, 86% stay in the U.S. after finishing, underscoring long‑term contributions in labs, classrooms, and startups.
These figures help explain why Indian families continue to view the U.S. as a land of opportunity. Yet they also lay the groundwork for a backlash: visibility plus volume can make success more noticeable—and, to some, more threatening—especially during economic anxiety.
“This mix of dominance in key pipelines and uncertainty in local job markets often feeds the political arguments now circling immigration and the H‑1B,” according to analysis by VisaVerge.com.
Policy enforcement and social friction intensify
The current climate is shaped by three converging forces: heightened enforcement, sharper rhetoric, and a rising emotional toll.
- In September 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice expanded civil‑rights probes into companies accused of discriminatory hiring that favors H‑1B workers over qualified U.S. citizens, as part of the Protecting US Workers Initiative.
- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has warned employers that national origin discrimination violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
- Acting Chair Andrea Lucas said in early 2025 the agency would step up action against bias in hiring and promotion.
Indian workers are caught in the middle: they are legally protected from discrimination, yet they remain tied to employers for visa status, which can limit their ability to speak up or switch jobs.
Public debate has grown more heated.
- Clips of residents criticizing Indian cultural festivals and influencers calling for tighter H‑1B controls circulate widely.
- Social media magnifies each incident, turning local frictions into national talking points and deepening isolation for students and early‑career workers far from home.
- Even those on strong career paths—coding jobs, PhD programs, postdoc labs—describe a quiet ache: success on paper, stress in daily life.
Challenges extend beyond anti‑immigrant talk.
- Reports about caste‑based discrimination inside parts of the Indian diaspora have sparked legal action and difficult conversations, including a high‑profile case filed in California in 2020.
- Many Indian Americans support clearer protections that cover caste and other bias, seeking fairer norms within their communities and in workplaces.
The immigration system’s structure adds further pressure.
- Long green‑card backlogs for Indian nationals keep many in temporary status for years, compounding risk.
- A single job loss can threaten visa status and family plans.
- Employers control key filings—from the H‑1B petition on Form I‑129 to the immigrant petition on Form I‑140 and, when eligible, adjustment of status on Form I‑485.
- This dependence affects perceived security, even for high‑wage earners.
Legal protections under Title VII and the Immigration and Nationality Act exist, but using those protections while maintaining status is often difficult.
Practical steps and support
Advocates and campus leaders recommend a broader approach to reduce strain and increase safety.
- Build support networks, speak with counselors, and find mentors who understand visa rules and workplace culture.
- Join professional associations, attend local events, and seek allies who can provide references or advice when moving between roles.
- Employers and universities should go beyond cultural days: train managers on national origin discrimination, offer mental health resources, and set clear, safe channels for complaints.
Specific practical knowledge for students and employers:
- For F‑1 graduates:
- Apply for work authorization with Form I‑765.
- Track reporting duties during OPT and the STEM extension.
- For employers sponsoring H‑1B workers:
- File Form I‑129 and maintain wage compliance.
- Follow verification and documentation rules.
- For everyone:
- Keep copies of pay records and detailed job descriptions that match the specialty‑occupation standard.
- Save documentation that can help in audits or site visits.
These steps can help if an audit, site visit, or enforcement action occurs later.
Politics, compliance risk, and employer obligations
The politics around the H‑1B program will continue to shift.
- Calls for reform—ranging from wage‑based selection to tighter oversight—resurface depending on Washington leadership.
- President Biden has emphasized attracting talent while enforcing labor standards; allies of President Trump have argued for more limits to protect U.S. workers.
- Expect more scrutiny, stronger documentation requirements, and headline‑driven shifts that can disrupt planning cycles for students and employers.
Employers face rising compliance risk.
- The DOJ’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section investigates unfair documentary practices and citizenship‑status discrimination.
- The EEOC pursues national origin bias.
- Companies using H‑1B and OPT talent should reassess:
- How jobs are posted
- How interviews are conducted
- How final hiring decisions are recorded
Clear, fair processes protect both U.S. workers and foreign hires—and reduce exposure to penalties or lawsuits.
The human dimension: success vs belonging
For many Indian families, the hardest part is the mismatch between success and belonging.
- Parents watch their children study, graduate, and land jobs at top firms, yet those children may still feel unwanted.
- The viral delivery‑worker video resonated because it voiced a daily reality for some: even when you do everything “right,” a cold glance or harsh comment can make you feel like an outsider.
- This experience is not universal, but it is common enough to matter.
There are reasons for hope.
- Indian students and professionals continue to lead research labs, launch startups, and teach the next generation.
- City governments and campuses host cultural events that celebrate the community’s role in local life.
- Many American colleagues genuinely value their Indian teammates.
- Fair enforcement against discrimination and stronger mental‑health supports on campus and at work can reduce the quiet burdens people carry.
The Open Doors counts and H‑1B tallies show a deep Indian footprint in American life. Talent pipelines alone do not guarantee welcome; whether people feel at home depends on choices made in classrooms, offices, and neighborhoods—choices to listen, include, and stand up when bias appears.
The stakes are personal: careers, families, and the promise that brought so many here in the first place.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Article in a Nutshell
The article examines the growing presence of Indian students and high‑skill workers in the United States alongside rising social and policy pressures. Key statistics include 141,205 H‑1B approvals in FY2024 (roughly 71% to Indians) and 331,602 Indian students reported in Open Doors 2023–24, with 97,556 on OPT. Enforcement actions by the DOJ and EEOC in 2025 targeting discriminatory hiring practices have intensified scrutiny of H‑1B and OPT programs. Despite legal protections under Title VII and immigration law, long green‑card backlogs and employer‑dependent visas create vulnerability. Advocates urge stronger workplace training, mental‑health resources, support networks, and careful recordkeeping. The piece concludes that while Indian talent is vital to U.S. innovation, inclusion requires policy, employer, and community choices to reduce bias and increase belonging.
