– Lajpat Lakhanpal –
The change in visa rules by the US should not be a matter of much concern to competent and honest engineers. Young students with required academic qualifications and integrity would always find lush green pastures in the US.
Whatever precautions are being exercised by the Trump government have a twin purpose of checking fraudulents and rationalising the
induction.
People who come with the intention of deceit via fraudulent degrees, certificates, and made-up work experience would henceforth find it difficult to make way to the US.
If the intent is fair and honest then there are ample opportunities for the young engineers as well as other professionals to do good and better the US with their talent.
It is an unfounded fear and panic that seems to be spreading among young aspirants. In fact, they can make the best of opportunities for themselves, and I know from my personal experience that they will do well. But if the intent is to make a lot of money only and that too via deceit, then of course the new laws will only make them suffer.
My advice would be better get a degree from a US university of repute. It would go a long way to ensure and brighten the job prospects here. Moreover, work during summers and do internships so that the new-comers get better qualified than others for a great future.
It is very important to get involved in the US local bodies and charities that would ensure that they are seen as not just contributors to the US economy in hi-tech and other industries, but also in other spheres that matter to a vibrant US.
In addition, entrepreneurship is an area that is much valued. Engineers should always be on the look-out to start their own companies and come up with new ideas and patent them.
In short, new immigrant engineers will always be welcome provided they have the right mindset and show empathy for those in other fields such as manufacturing that have lost jobs, come with the intent to improve US, and make positive contributions in social and charitable fields as well.
As a last word, a warning to young aspirants. Beware of getting exploited by contracting/consulting companies who shop engineers around to American corporations and pay the engineers a pittance while pocketing a big sum
themselves. Also some
unscrupulous middle-men make them sit on the “bench” and make them pay the US taxes while they find them a job, while telling the US govt that they are “fully” employed and being paid a certain salary, while in reality not so.
(The writer is a California-based Computer Engineer)
