For decades, the world has seen the United States as a dreamland for visionaries, a wonderland for adventurers, and even a Disneyland for children and the young at heart. It was a land where aspirations turned into reality, where ambition met opportunity, and where success stories inspired countless others to follow.
In the 1970s, a trickle of Indians began arriving in the U.S., some by ship, others by air—not out of frustration with their homeland, but in pursuit of better opportunities, research, and career growth. These early immigrants weren’t escaping hardship; they were seeking a future that offered them professional fulfillment and financial security. They soon became known as one of the most respected and sought-after immigrant groups, recognized for their intelligence, humility, and work ethic.
Unlike many other immigrant communities, early Indian arrivals carried with them a strong sense of responsibility toward their families and homeland. A significant portion of their earnings was sent back to India—supporting their parents, funding local development, and contributing to charity. Meanwhile, their families, with traditional financial wisdom, invested in gold and land, ensuring generational wealth. This cycle turned many parents into crorepatis while their children became millionaires abroad.
Through the 1980s and 1990s, immigration remained steady, but by the early 2000s, the rapid rise of the IT industry turned this steady flow into a flood. By 2010, the migration of Indians to the U.S. had become so common that it felt like domestic travel within India. Almost every family had a relative either studying, working, or struggling to survive in America.
However, as Indians soared professionally, personal struggles often went unnoticed. The long hours, grueling sacrifices, cultural isolation, and constant fear of job loss remained hidden beneath a carefully curated image of success. Families in India celebrated their relatives’ achievements without fully understanding the hardships they endured.
With the rise of the internet and free WhatsApp calls, however, the illusion began to crack. People back home started realizing that the American dream wasn’t as picture-perfect as they had imagined. The struggles of immigrants—visa issues, job insecurities, and emotional isolation—became more evident.
As Indian communities grew, they formed their own microcosms—first as “mini Indias,” then as regional groups, and finally, into caste-based clusters. What started as a support system soon turned into a reflection of India’s own societal divides.
Over time, caste-based discrimination, which many had hoped to leave behind, began resurfacing in Indian communities in the U.S. In some cases, it even caught the attention of American authorities, as seen in a high-profile case in Seattle, where caste bias was flagged in the workplace. The very divisions that many had sought to escape became more deeply entrenched, sometimes putting India to shame on foreign soil.
Meanwhile, economic downturns and the dreaded “bench” culture in tech industries left many immigrants in limbo—jobless yet unable to return due to financial and social pressures. Many silently endured hardships, refusing to share their struggles with families back home. Parents, unaware of their children’s challenges, continued to believe in the flawless dream of America.
Deportation is not a new phenomenon. Even in the 1960s and 1970s, thousands were deported—the difference being that in those days, the news rarely reached beyond immediate circles. Today, with the digital age, every incident spreads like wildfire, often exaggerated and politicized.
The U.S., like many developed nations, is caught in a dilemma—it needs immigrants yet selectively rejects them. The labor force depends on skilled foreign workers, but political pressures demand stricter immigration controls. Deportations serve as a warning to future immigrants, reinforcing that violating immigration laws carries severe consequences.
While it is natural to sympathize with those being sent back, it is also important to acknowledge that many deportees knowingly took illegal routes, risking not just their own future but also India’s reputation. The backlash against Indian leaders like Dr. S. Jaishankar is misplaced; every country has the right to enforce its laws, whether we agree with them or not.
What remains puzzling is why, despite being educated and capable, so many young Indians still fall prey to false promises and shortcuts to enter the U.S. rather than pursuing legitimate pathways. Many opt for unethical agents, spend exorbitant sums, and put themselves at risk instead of applying directly through legal channels.
This desperation often stems from unrealistic parental expectations. Many parents, believing they are offering unconditional love, pamper their children with financial support instead of encouraging independence and critical thinking. They invest lakhs or even crores in sending their children abroad without questioning whether it is the right path for them.
True love is not about fulfilling every demand but guiding children wisely and teaching them resilience. Parents must emphasize self-reliance, contentment, and ethical decision-making rather than blind ambition.
Dreaming big is essential—it drives progress and innovation. But dreams must be pursued with wisdom and integrity. The American dream is still alive, but it is no longer a fairytale. The path to success abroad requires patience, perseverance, and, most importantly, a willingness to face the realities that come with it.
It is time for young Indians to redefine success—not just as reaching a foreign land, but as building a fulfilling life wherever they are. Because a dream pursued blindly can all too easily turn into a nightmare.
