Leaving the US overnight felt like a 'bad dream'
Scientist and content creator Ananya Joshi had to leave her life in the US when her visa was cut short amid the H-1B visa changes.
Ananya Joshi's journey from India to the United States has taken a dramatic turn. She arrived in 2022 to study biotechnology at Northwestern University and later joined a Chicago-based cultivated meat startup. Joshi had secured H-1B sponsorship, which was a crucial part of her plans to continue working in the US. However, her employer ultimately withdrew the sponsorship, rendering her work option invalid. Her F-1 visa, designed for her studies, was subsequently cut short.
The situation took an unexpected twist in September 2025 when President Donald Trump initiated changes that would disrupt the H-1B visa application process. His proposal of a $100,000 fee for new H-1B petitions shook the foundations of the immigration system for employers, employees, and visa hopefuls. Since then, Business Insider has been reporting on the experiences of those affected by these changes, including individuals like Joshi who are now contemplating whether to remain in the US or leave the system entirely.
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