Mr. Vivek Wadhava’s Testimony for H4 Visa Holders at the White House

It has been decades that women come as dependants to their H1B spouses to America and get caught up in a situation in which they see no escape. They are not allowed to work, and smart educated women, live in the four walls doing unproductive household chores.

For years these women have been silent. At one time the Green Card process was fast and not so gravely backlogged. They would get a work permit within 4-5 years. But, now the wait is 9-12 years. This long wait is making them frustrated.  By the time their EAD’s arrive they are just bruised unconfident souls who have lost their prime work years to nothing.

In 2011, I got connected to an amazing woman Rashi Bhatnagar through her Facebook Page ‘H4 Visa, a curse’. I was lookingfor stories for a book I intended to write on the same issue. Our interests were similar and we dreamt about big changes together. We formulated ways to connect to other women in similar situations. We were stunned to find that many were going through similar and even worse pains and living the un-purposeful life. Some were even facing domestic violence and total dependency.

As more members started to join in, we found a common voice. Our realization was that on humanitarian grounds this Visa was truly unfair otherwise not all of us would be suffering.

The big boost happened in the team when a California based lawyer Shah Peerally sensed the agony, joined the team and extended his support for the cause, when many others had already refused to even hear us out. His support was a strong strength for this group, as many feared deportation. Shah instilled the faith in the laws of the land, that everyone had the right to petition, and the right to be heard.  He also facilitated a radio show on his station to make our voices heard. Under his law firm there was a petition introduced at the white house to allow the dependent spouses to work. (Petition-http://www.change.org/petitions/give-more-rights-to-h4-visa-holders)

There was some activity and movement always happening and the excitement was contagious, but the first ray of hope came through when in Dec 2012, USCIS commenced a process seeking Whitehouse approvals for H4 work authorization. This was something which we had not dreamt of, something that could happen so soon.

That night most of the women in this group especially the active early members Vanika Narula Khatavkar,Priya Kiran, Shivani Jalali, Jyotsna Sharma, Poonam Savant –Dharek and others had an awakened night, excited that gods might have heard their prayers and whispered in the ears of the Obama Government.  The enthusiasm of just the thought of the freedom was adrenaline. Meghna Damani, another member of the group had filmed a documentary movie on this issue a few years back and has been supporting this cause since then. (Link to the documentary- http://www.heartssuspended.com) .

The third round of delight once again was seen all over the page yesterday. During an immigration hearing on Feb 5th in the House Judiciary Committee, witness Mr.Vivek Wadhwa, Director of Research, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Fellow, Stanford Law School, and Vice President of Innovation and Research, Singularity University; testified on the Immigration reform proposals in DC.  

When enquired about his concern regarding spouses of highly skilled H1B Visa holders, who according to him lived like second class citizens, Mr. Wadhwa said, “The women in Saudi Arabia have more rights than the wives of H1 workers. It is inhuman the way we treat them”.

He mentioned that in some states they can’t get driver’s license which confines them to only their home. A country which brings highly skilled immigrants but does do not give them equal rights is wrong, and it needs to be fixed. Marriages suffer and they leave the country frustrated.

Once again our hearts have started to dream. Someone is speaking for us and someone will notice it and make rules which will change our lives. According to the reports, public comments will be invited on this initiative very soon which will help USCIS in considering this a rule.

If you or your near ones are affected by this Visa Situation, or you just want to help these brave women, I invite you to join this Facebook page, H4 Visa, a curse. A lot of activities are constantly happening here, and this is the time to help yourself by getting involved in this rule making process.

• Join the Page,  H4 Visa, a curse (https://www.facebook.com/groups/H4Visa/)


• Spread the word


• Help yourself by commenting on the proposed rule, when open

Check out my other articles on this issue:

http://indiapulse.sulekha.com/local-pulse/breaking-news-h4-visa-holders-may-soon-be-allowed-to-work-in-the-us_post_3112

http://indiapulse.sulekha.com/local-pulse/h4-visa-an-inhuman-and-discriminating-permit_post_2675

Radio show recording links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgMUF5URfaY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jok5p_f3v9w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0f2x7t1tgtw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fl8Z1-bDs00