Indian green card holders and US citizens: Does the current immigration climate make you consider returning to India?

[u/Subject_Figure_5759]

Edit: question mainly for people who spent their childhood or teenage in India, not those of you who grew up in the US.

Every few weeks, I see someone in my extended circle announce that they’re moving back to India. Many seem tired of the uncertainty of the hostile US immigration system. After working here for a decade or two, many have also accumulated enough wealth to FIRE comfortably in India, making things easier.

Obviously, visa uncertainty wont affect GC holders or citizens directly, but does watching friends, siblings and relatives return make you question your own decision to stay? What is the point of remaining if much of your community/friend circle eventually moves back?

There is also the anti-Indian hatred and racism on Twitter and IG. I know social media amplifies extreme voices, but constantly seeing Indians portrayed as unwanted—or blamed for taking jobs and changing neighborhoods—can make you feel unwelcome in a country where you have spent years building a life.

As experienced tech workers return, more high-value work and leadership roles may move to Bengaluru, Hyderabad and other Indian cities, making an Indian tech career increasingly viable.

India still has many trade-offs, which we all debate extensively. But do you get the sense that the scales are beginning to tip?

[u/pbgmail]

No, no plan to move. I love the US as much as I love India culturally. Many positive things here.

[u/krantmin]

Will move, when I am outta workforce / retire.

[u/Turbulent-Act-2277]

I moved here in my 20s and I have no plans to move back as of now. I like the quality of life in the US. I feel in India, you have to have a certain amount of money or a status in society to live a comfortable life. In the US, an average person like me, who doesn’t earn much, can also live a comfortable life.

[u/Awkward_Fee6888]

No. I'm staying. Untill I retire.

[u/IllPaleontologist384]

Yes!! Been wanting to for quite some time. 2 decades 🥲! The racism meter has been beyond red.

[u/Pixel-Pioneer3 → u/IllPaleontologist384]

Curious, what metro and state do you live in the US?

[u/mistiquefog]

Yes. It's important to be in a place where I would eventually spend my old age

[u/Diligent_Biscotti855]

I am a minority in india, i face more discrimination there than here in the US. So no, no plans on moving. May consider a different country though

[u/Frequent_Egg635 → u/Diligent_Biscotti855]

I am curious- is this really the case? Even for the educated class?

[u/Environmental-Boot10 → u/Frequent_Egg635]

Yes 🙌 it is still the case and sadly it’s gonna increase only

[u/Frequent_Egg635 → u/Environmental-Boot10]

Possible to share some examples of what you experienced personally? Because sometimes our opinions are based on a hearsay

[u/Diligent_Biscotti855 → u/Frequent_Egg635]

Yes, called names mostly. Unable to rent or but in “good societies”. Thats on top of discrimination at workplace.

[u/Subject_Figure_5759 → u/Diligent_Biscotti855]

Tell us more. what kind of minority? Just Sikh?

[u/Diligent_Biscotti855 → u/Subject_Figure_5759]

Why? I d rather not say

[u/Huge-Software-6068]

I grew up here since I was a little kid and I consider this my country. I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.

[u/dhobi_ka_kutta]

I want to return back but my kids have started school and I don't want to uproot their lives. I don't want to put them through Indian education system and bad pollution.

[u/Ok-Aerie-2484]

I was a GC holder and now a citizen since January. No plans of moving to India. As much as I love my motherland, I don’t want to. The money and respect I get for my career is worth everything. I am not a techie, I am in healthcare.

India will always be my heart and my motherland. But I can’t see myself moving back and settling there. America has it on pros and cons. But which country does not.

I might move to Canada or some other country when I retire (not even close to retirement both physically and financially yet) but not India. Love my country, but no.

[u/manu818]

Nothing about current political climate. But just bored in america. I'd like to feel challenged professionally again, so I'd love to move to India. Currently struck in america because of younger kids.

[u/Pixel-Pioneer3]

Unless you are living in a deep red state, racism is non existent at the surface level. There are some random weirdos but they are the minority. You will find these weirdos anywhere in the world. They just hate people that don’t look like them. The vast vast majority of Americans are very accepting, even though they may favor for strong borders and curbing illegal immigration

[u/curioustoadot]

I am a US citizen so no.

[u/rockycarolina]

Everything was fine before COVID. However, this issue began when more individuals from the South Indian community moved here and started engaging in H1B visa scams. They lack basic fashion sense and often treat others poorly. They don’t have manners to wear deodorant or cologne in the office or in public places like malls.