Lettersnatcher

I arrived in the United States in August 2000 at the Los Angeles airport. I was a scholarship holder with no IT, tech, or computer background. On arrival, I thought I would see many White faces greeting me. But, Los Angeles looked like a Chinese airport and this was 20 years ago!

A clueless person of Indian origin, I didn’t know what my short or long-term plans were. A highly qualified techie en route asked me: Why are you going to the States? Honestly, I had no answer. I didn’t know anything about computers unlike him who had a clear plan. All I had in hand was a scholarship to do a Master’s degree in Journalism.

Over the last two decades I’ve been keeping this H1B folder sacred. At times after getting my citizenship, I thought I would toss it out. But what if they came and asked for it? I think it’s time I keep it safe and secure. I mean, the new Government could come asking for it just to check me out. What if they decide to revoke the citizenship of all naturalized citizens and end the naturalization process itself?

I am afraid just like you are.

This folder chronicles my legal entry into the United States. It talks about people who helped me along the way. Some dissuaded me. Many others still don’t appreciate this journey.

I was planning to toss it just a few months ago. I thought it was useless to carry so much paper around. But today I want to keep it because it chronicles every moment of my journey as a legal immigrant. Moreover, I am afraid because someone will knock at my door. The paranoia is too much. For the legal and the illegal and so I better keep my folder intact!