A significant humanitarian issue has arisen for Indian H-1B visa holders who traveled home and are now unable to return to their jobs in the US. A stranded worker has made an emotional appeal on Reddit, urging fellow Indians currently in the US to avoid booking or to cancel their January and February visa appointments to prioritize the hundreds of workers stuck in India.
The Cause of the Widespread Disruption
The crisis stems from widespread disruptions at US consulates, primarily triggered by new, strict social-media-based security checks introduced by the US State Department under the Trump administration.
- Mass Cancellations: The additional screening requirements have led the US State Department to cancel most December visa interviews.
- Severe Delays: Crucially, many of these appointments have been pushed back as far as March 2026, creating immense uncertainty for families and employers who rely on these workers.
A “Humble Request” for Compassion
The appeal, shared in a Reddit post titled “Humble request from a stranded Indian to fellow Indians in USA,” outlines the deep stress and hardship faced by those stuck abroad.
“Fellow Indians, if you are in the US, and have booked or planning on booking H1B appointments for the month of January/February, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE consider not booking. Or please cancel your booked appointments,” the Redditor wrote.
The user emphasized the urgency of their situation: “PLEASE give us stranded folks here a chance to return to our jobs in the US. We are all deeply stressed. Our families are stressed. We don’t have any choice but to wait for slots to open up in Jan and Feb,” the post added.
Humble request from a stranded Indian to fellow Indians in USA
byu/brownmanreading inh1b
Social Media Reaction and Support
The request resonated strongly with the online community, with many users expressing sympathy and a willingness to adjust their plans to alleviate the crisis.
- One user pledged support: “I deeply support this. I have one my close friend stranded/in similar situation. OP, Hope you return back without any issues. We have postponed all of our travel plans till next year.”
- Another shared: “I was gonna book an appointment in Feb, but I’m holding off. All the best folks. Such a crappy situation.”
- A former H-1B holder commented, sensing the acute difficulty: “As a former H-1B I sense your pain. Especially December is the peak time for people with kids to travel due to school holidays. The best wishes are with you.”
The crisis underscores the severe logistical and emotional toll that geopolitical security measures and visa processing disruptions have on the lives and careers of highly skilled H-1B workers.