Chasing the American Dream

How many Indians would be able to work in the United States (US) and how much the US military would be able to dominate the Indian armed forces are the two contentious issues in the current Indo–US engagement. While defence cooperation has shifted to the next level of interoperability, the aspiration of scores of Indian H-1B visa holders waiting for green cards remains in jeopardy.

The US has been the centre of attraction since the beginning of the 20th century for people on the lookout for better opportunities. The rich as well as the poor have benefited equally from liberal US immigration policies. The success stories of immigrants have enhanced the attractiveness of American capitalism and helped sell the American dream. The best minds across the globe are serving the US economy. The US has built a network of elite in various countries, which in turn supports the US’s hegemony. The immigration policy serves as an effective tool for the US foreign policy establishment. The concessions on immigration and visas is one of the main requests from countries interacting with the US. Relaxation or tightening of immigration norms and procedures is a good bargaining chip for the US negotiators engaged in extracting the best deal for the US.