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Comment by untog | Hacker News Reader

Sadly, the drama doesn't even end after getting your visa. Over six months ago I applied for an H1B transfer to a new job- they replied requesting a confirmation letter from every employer I've had since college saying that I am, indeed, a developer, and not some sort of fraud. My transfer is still pending, making every return journey back into the US a stressful experience.

This, after I've already been working in the US for two years- you would have thought they'd have asked for the letters when I applied the first time.

My H1B three year limit is in November of this year. I can apply to extend for another three years, but I can't wait to see what nonsense they throw my way when I try.

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From my experience, renewing the visa is not too difficult if you (or your company) have a decent immigration attorney. The only annoying thing is that you'll have to go to a US consulate outside the US to get the visa stamp in your passport.

I used to live in San Diego and always found it baffling that the US requires people to go through this strange procedure.

In San Diego, it is a russian-roulette type of play: you go to Tijuana (right across the border) and you either get a visa extension or you don't. If you don't, you're stuck in Tijuana. I know people (from Europe) that had to arrange for a trip home because they were denied a visa extension (J-type).

They probably make it a pain because they don't want you to spend the next decade making money here and sending it back to the mother country.

Since most of these laws are written by politicians and not economists it's more likely that they want to appear tough on immigration to avoid "dey took our jerbs!" style anger from the electorate. It's sort of like how clubs force people to wait in line outside even when there is room. If they let everyone in, it might start to feel crowded and less fun.

Except that doesn't explain why they'd make getting permanent residency so difficult. If they were interested in keeping your hard-earned dollars in the US, they'd try to keep you in forever.

Instead you have to deal with the wonderful world of employer sponsored green card and your 15 year-long wait.

You appear to be complaining about effect, not cause.

Every US immigrant I've spoken to wants to stay here, build up savings, buy a house, etc. I do too. But if there is no path for me to become a permanent resident then, yes, I'm going to take my savings and go home. I don't want to, but I won't have a choice.

Making the immigration process difficult is counter-productive for everyone.

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