ABC7 News was introduced to the Chauhan family in 2019. Parents, Sudhir and Punita, were beaming as their son TJ moved into his freshman dorm at UC Berkeley. The family is from India, has lived in America since 2013, but now has hit a major snag with the U.S. immigration system.
“It’s very difficult to put into words,” Sudhir said. “I try to keep myself positive.”
TJ is a junior chemical engineering major at CAL and needs an internship to help remain competitive with classmates and land a job after graduation.
“You know it feels really bad to see that despite him putting in all his efforts, there are some circumstances that are beyond everyone,” Sudhir said. “No one can really help until the immigration is taken care of.”
TJ needs his H4 visa converted to an F1 visa. The family submitted the paperwork for the change in July of 2020.
“A process that usually takes around 6 to 7 months is still underway right now as we speak,” Sudhir said. “So, it’s like more than a year now.”
Block said COVID made the existing immigration backlog in the U.S. much worse.
“The Department of State had its budget cut,” Block continued. “It’s made it really hard for those of us who are trying to help people legally come to the United States, as well as those that are here in whatever status they have to become legal, or permanent residents, or visa holders, to work here legally. It’s really been difficult.”
Recent Comments