Read Part 1 here:
Read Part 2 here:
PART 3
Chapter 7 – THE REJECTION: Yeah. You read that right. Already frustrated with how my employers jumped the gun on sending out my response, my lawyers had lost hope in my case. So, even after realizing that the mail did not make it USCIS, the lawyers basically, with little interest, tied the loose ends on my response, and sent out a half-baked, incomplete response. USCIS, unhappy with the quality of response, declined to grant me my visa. In the notice of rejection, I was also instructed to leave the US within 10 days of the receipt of the notice.
My lawyer told me that they can appeal and apply for a petition to reconsider my rejection. “wE wIlL Be aBLe tO WiN tHiS TimE!!!” they said. “It'll cost only $5000 for this additional service.”
LOL. No thank you, I said.
Disheartened, I broke the news to my employer. She seemed worried, because by October (almost a year since I started here) my work had increased, and if I were to say goodbye forever, they'd have to look at hiring another candidate to agree to work for them done for a shitty salary. So, she asked me,
“Will you work for us at least until the end of this project? From abroad? We will pay you in dollars!”
I wasn't overjoyed or anything, but I wouldn't mind exploring the opportunity, and so I asked, “Will I continue to be employed at the salary agreed upon here?”
She said, “Well, we'd like to stay within the general range that an employee at your level gets paid in your home country.”
My calculations were putting my new salary at a little under $5000. ANNUALLY.
Of course she would say that! How stupid of me to assume that she'll continue to pay me about 70 times over if my work location is my home! Even if the money she's spending is already low as compared to people working in other offices at my level in the US! why did I even ask, I thought.
“I'll let you know.”, I said. She didn't need an answer right away. My hands were still tied. That evening, I told my colleagues that I'll be leaving them for good, at least for the foreseeable future. It was my last day of work.
I roamed around the city in the next few days. I was in love with its architecture, its history, its urban design, its grandeur, its character….. My story in the city was coming to an end. I wanted to live out my last few days and make as many memories as I could, for I, was leaving for good…Or so I thought.
Chapter 8 – ALTERNATES:
- “…there is another option though. Enroll for a graduate level degree program, come back to the US, and continue working in the US alongside a full time job! They're called day1 CPT Courses…” they were telling me. My friends who had explored this option were encouraging me to consider this option. I felt like this would be such a blow to my self-respect! After all, if things work out the normal way, I'd keep going! But, why should I explore alternates that feel like a cheap side hustle…?
- “…why don't you try contacting my lawyer? She's really good, helpful, and experienced in this!” My gf told me. I was like, challenging the authorities? How can an insignificant man like me do that? Will I even be able to afford it? My previous lawyers told me to pay an additional $5k for this added service! Who even has that kinda money lying around…?
3 days before leaving, I contacted a school. They said, we can help you with the paperwork, if you'd like to come back. No more visa interviews, just a new form to carry with you (Form I20) when you enter the borders of the US next time!
I contacted my employer again. Asked if this would work and if I would be rehired. I was only going to be able to pay for a $25,000 two-year Master's program, if I had a job. She agreed. I went ahead with the paperwork with the school.
Then I contacted the new lawyer. She went over my entire case over a phone call, studied my papers, initial application package, response to the RFE, and concluded that my previous lawyers had really done a poor job in responding. I could have easily been granted a visa without even an RFE had they done a good job to begin with. She said she'd help me, but it'll cost me $5k.
I thought for a bit. Worth a try, I thought. She gave me a 10% discount with 2.5k paid upfront and remaining $2k when the final paperwork goes out. “It'll be a tough battle”, she said, “but I'll make sure you'll win, as long as you're ready to put in all the hard work.” I loved her confidence. I said yes. Paid her with my CC, and left for home.
Btw, by now, I'd spent $5.5k from my own pocket toward my visa.
CHAPTER 9 – HOMECOMING / HOMECOMING: Back home, my decision wasn't appreciated, but they still supported me. I mean, I had no savings. I was planning for another $25k investment over 2 years. My salary was shit. I was constantly stressed out. I was living an ok life with the money, but my visa was draining my coffers. My CC bill was high. How could they let me go back?
I spent my “vacation” communicating with the new school, and the lawyer. She asked me to gather evidentiary info from various sources. She was going over the case details and progress with me every two days. I'd finally been able to place my trust in someone. She was actually good.
Soon, it was time for me fly back. School was going to start. Packed my bags yet again, and said my goodbyes to my beloved folks to get on a flight back to “my” city via Abu Dhabi.
- Abu Dhabi is a port of entry into the US. I did not know this. I would though, soon enough, especially when I was pulled out from the regular line after a preliminary discussion with the CBP guard, for a secondary interview. Felt like an interrogation room in there. Scary looking officers with intimidating voices. 2 hours later I get called in front of the secondary interview window. He grills me – asks to produce every I20 before this one, ask me about my new school, the names of the professors, my intention for travel, even ask me to pull my bank account transactions on my phone. Pretty sure they went through my messages and stuff too. 40 mins of grilling in a stern voice later, he gives me back my stuff, and asks me to continue on to my flight. At least I wouldn't have to go through this when I'm in the US, I think. Silver linings, you see?
In the January of 2019, School starts, and so does my job. I don't have money to pay for the fees just yet, but does the school care? I max out my CC and pay the first semester's fee and enroll in a payment plan starting next semester. Oh, and while I was gone, the tollway dept. has showered me with letters asking to pay unpaid tolls during a road trip that I had gone on, a while ago. The late fees on a ~$30 toll balance has risen to $780 total. I borrow money from a well-wishing friend to pay this off. My stress levels are at a peak.
15 days later, I finally get a paycheck. Same employer. Same amount of money. Same amount of dissatisfaction about my life. This paycheck reminds me of everything wrong this company has done with me. The demotion, the $10,000 salary cut, the low balled offer to pay me $6,000 if I worked for them remotely from my home country…add to that the ~$10,000 I had already spent toward my visa and for my new school, from my own, shallow AF pockets…
Its ok. They'll know my worth very soon. I'll get my visa, and they'll raise me back up!
Heck, I'll join another firm!
Whatever it is, I won't be taken advantage of, anymore!
Or so I thought….