Perhaps the literal interpretation of the law reaffirms your argument for the temporary status of the visa but that doesn't take away from the fact that H1-B visa holders have progressed to the permanent residence status through this track in the past.
This doesn't mean that every and each one of them is entitled now to this immigration status upgrade but this sentiment of "Here it says temporary in the law so you better pack up and leave now" is a bit unfair.
The words of the law are the law; everything else is whimsy. Many H1Bs did get permanent residence at a time when Americans were feeling optimistic. That’s not true anymore and desis should read the words of the law carefully in deciding where to go.
I think that you've made your point clear already regarding the literal interpretation of the immigration laws but I think that affected parties such as H1-B visa holders have the right to push for immigration reforms and pressure policy makers for a better outcome for their livelihood.
Sure, what else can they do? I’m just describing how the current system works, because I think a lot of people don’t realize how thin their legal rights under the H1B system really are.
I think then we're on the same page. They have the right to fight for their own interests and see what they can come up with in the end. whether path to citizenship or the nearest international airport, but to just ask them outright to pack up and leave because the law says so turns the whole discussion unnecessarily negative.
To be clear I wasn’t telling anyone to pack up and leave. I meant that folks considering emigrating from India should go to Canada or Australia where they can get a real immigration visa from the outset, instead of rolling the dice on the H1B and hoping whatever administration is in office 10-15 years from now is feeling welcoming.
Perhaps the literal interpretation of the law reaffirms your argument for the temporary status of the visa but that doesn't take away from the fact that H1-B visa holders have progressed to the permanent residence status through this track in the past.
This doesn't mean that every and each one of them is entitled now to this immigration status upgrade but this sentiment of "Here it says temporary in the law so you better pack up and leave now" is a bit unfair.