‘US is dead now’: Indian professional urges students to rethink American dream
Professional in the US singles out business programmes, advising students to consider alternatives such as Oxford, Cambridge, Canada, Germany, or Switzerland
An Indian professional has urged students and jobseekers to rethink plans of relocating to the US, citing growing uncertainty over visas, internships, and work permits.
In an Instagram video, Anushk Sharma declared, “US is dead now”, appealing to Indians to avoid it for the time being, stressing that he could no longer recommend the country as a study-abroad destination despite previously helping aspirants with their US plans.
Sharma singled out business programmes, advising students to consider alternatives such as Oxford, Cambridge, Canada, Germany, or Switzerland.
Visa and work policy concerns
Sharma’s remarks come amid confusion over US immigration rules. Notably, his warning echoes what immigration expert Rajkamal Rao told The Federal in an interview last week, cautioning that the easy route from the campus to a career in the US was over for Indian students.
Sharma, in his video, claimed that Curricular Practical Training (CPT)—which allows F-1 students to take up internships—had been restricted at some universities due to compliance changes.
He also flagged proposals of steep fees for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and H-1B visas, warning that the financial risks were too high given the policy flux.
He added that the 60-day grace period for H-1B holders was under scrutiny, making the US a “risky investment” for students banking on post-study employment.
‘Not worth it anymore’
“It’s not worth it anymore,” Sharma said, urging students to avoid committing USD 100,000 or more amid uncertainty. He suggested Germany and Switzerland for tech aspirants, though he admitted salaries there may not match US levels.
Also read: End of American dream? 40% of Indian Americans consider leaving US: Study
The post sparked debate online. Some users backed Sharma, saying current rules were “targeting F-1s like crazy” and leaving students stranded without internships. Others praised Switzerland for better pay, lower taxes, and healthcare.
But critics accused Sharma of exaggeration, clarifying that CPT had not been abolished but only restricted in certain cases. “It depends on the field—you can’t say everything is dead,” one commenter argued, noting that non-tech students still had opportunities.