US Visa Backlogs Drive Tech Talent to Canada, Europe

美签证积压促使科技人才转向加拿大与欧洲 遥遥无期的绿卡延误及不断变化的美国移民政策，正促使高技能外国工人迁往居留途径更快、更具可预测性的国家。 本内容探讨了持续的签证动荡与绿卡积压如何改变美国高技能移民的“美国梦”。尽管外国出生的人才极大地支撑了硅谷等科技枢纽的发展，但在特朗普政府不断变化的政治政策导向下面，许多工人面临长达40年的绿卡等待期。因此，专业技术人才正越来越多地寻求更具确定性的途径，并迁往加拿大和德国等国家。 行政层面的不确定性和签证动荡导致高技能移民质疑美国是否仍需要他们，这对美国在技术创新领域的长期竞争优势构成了威胁。 (0:00) 美国政府每年向国际学生发放约40万张F-1签证，而H-1B工作签证的年度配额上限仅为8.5万张。 (0:00) 彭博社（Bloomberg）一项针对50名技术移民工人的访谈调查显示，许多人正积极重新评估是留在美国还是移居其他国家。 (0:00) 硅谷严重依赖外国出生的人才，主要来自印度和中国的移民占其科技劳动力的三分之二。 (1:09) 面对美国绿卡审批的无限期拖延，许多高技能工人将加拿大等国作为后备选择，在永久居留权最快两个月获批后选择移居。 (1:09)

Administrative delays, political volatility, and multi-decade green card backlogs are prompting high-skilled immigrants to reconsider staying in the United States, placing the country's technological edge at risk as competitor nations recruit global talent. Erosion of the Skilled Immigrant Pipeline (0:00) The United States has historically relied on skilled immigration to fuel domestic innovation, admitting roughly 400,000 international students on F-1 visas each year alongside an annual allocation of 85,000 H-1B visas for specialty workers. However, rising administrative friction and visa volatility have undermined confidence in this traditional route. In discussions with Bloomberg, 50 high-skilled immigrant workers stated they are actively reassessing whether to remain in the US or move elsewhere, questioning whether the country still values their contributions despite having followed all regulatory requirements. Backlogs and the Turn Toward Competitor Nations (1:09) While the H-1B visa has served as the default gateway to a green card, severe processing bottlenecks mean that reaching the final adjustment-of-status stage can take roughly 40 years for some applicants who arrived as far back as the 1990s. This prolonged limbo is altering career planning for foreign-born workers, who currently make up two-thirds of Silicon Valley's tech workforce and hail heavily from India and China. Increasingly, professionals are demanding that prospective US employers sponsor their green cards from day one. Faced with indefinite timelines, many skilled workers have pivoted toward international alternatives offering more deterministic paths. Canada has emerged as a frequent option, granting permanent residency to applicants in as little as two months. Concurrently, other nations, including Germany, are actively targeting high-skilled Indian specialists by promoting their economic and societal value. Policy Contradictions and Risks to Innovation (2:33) Immigrants also confront continuous political swings, exemplified by the Trump administration's struggle to balance tech executives' pleas for foreign talent against restrictive "America First" immigration policies. This policy flip-flopping has replaced established immigration pathways with regulatory unpredictability. The resulting talent drain presents substantial economic risks. Cited research highlights that collaboration between foreign-born and native-born American personnel significantly increases overall patent production and innovation output, meaning that unresolved visa barriers directly jeopardize national competitiveness. The US tech sector remains dependent on international specialists, yet persistent administrative backlogs and shifting political directives leave workers without clear timelines. Until the US provides a deterministic path to residency, competing countries with streamlined immigration processes stand to absorb its high-skilled workforce.

彭博社报道指出，由于签证政策动荡、长达数十年的绿卡积压以及政治不确定性，美国高技术移民的传统留存路径正面临严峻挑战；许多技术人才开始考虑离开美国转投加拿大或德国等国，这使美国依赖全球顶尖人才支撑的长期科技创新优势面临风险。 签证配额限制与硅谷的人才依赖 (0:00) 长期以来，赴美留学与工作被视为国际高技术人才实现发展的重要通道，同时也为美国科技创新输送了核心动力。美国政府每年发放约40万张F-1学生签证，并提供8.5万张面向科技企业和商业机构的H-1B工作签证。硅谷地区有高达三分之二的科技从业人员为外国出生，显示出美国高科技产业对印度和中国等国技术人才的高度依赖。自20世纪90年代起，诸如IBM托马斯·J·沃森研究中心（Thomas J. Watson Research Center）等顶尖机构便通过H-1B签证引入人才以填补关键技术短缺。然而，面对持续的行政不确定性，彭博社采访的50名高技能外籍员工表示，他们正在重新评估是留在美国还是迁往其他国家。 政策反复与长达数十年的绿卡积压 (2:33) 政治层面的政策反复进一步加剧了技术移民的困境。特朗普执政期间在科技领袖招募全球人才的需求与“美国优先”（America First）限制移民的政策之间权衡摇摆，导致移民途径充满不可预测性。许多申请人面临极其漫长的绿卡积压周期，对于部分在20世纪90年代抵美的人员而言，最终排到“身份调整”（adjustment of status）阶段可能需要大约40年。这种长期的监管停滞迫使部分劳工明确要求企业自入职第一天起就赞助绿卡，受访员工强调需要一条具有明确时间表的“更确定性路径”，以摆脱无休止的身份悬置状态。 国际竞争分流与美国创新红利的风险 (1:09) 在美国永久居留审批遥遥无期的背景下，其他国家正在积极争夺高技能人才。例如，加拿大成为许多技术工人的重要备选，其永久居留权申请最快可在两个月内获批，促使不少曾常驻纽约等地的从业人员转赴渥太华等城市；德国等国家也积极向印度高技能专业人员抛出橄榄枝，强调其对经济和社会的贡献。相关研究表明，外国出生员工与美国本土员工之间的紧密合作能够显著提高技术创新水平和专利产出率。随着国际竞争加剧，美国若持续陷入签证困境，其整体经济的创新竞争力可能遭受冲击。 高技术移民为美国经济与专利创新提供了关键支撑，但繁重的行政积压与摇摆不定的政策环境正在削弱美国对全球顶尖人才的吸引力。面对加拿大与欧洲各国的政策竞争，美国能否建立清晰、确定的留才机制，仍是关乎其未来科技领导地位的未决问题。

## Background 该内容由彭博旗下频道 Bloomberg Originals 于 2026 年 6 月 21 日发布在 YouTube 平台上。页面简介指出，随着 SpaceX 上市开启太空热潮，科技巨头与初创公司正将轨道人工智能视作下一代前沿阵地；尽管在太空构建数据中心仍属新兴概念，但由于地面能源与物理空间的双重限制，马斯克的 SpaceX 与贝佐斯的蓝色起源等已纷纷启动轨道数据中心计划，探索这一突破性路径。 ## TL;DR 内容深入探讨了长期作为美国创新支柱的“美国梦”如何因混乱且反复无常的技术移民政策而动摇。由于每年数十万 F-1 学生签证与仅 8.5 万张 H-1B 配额之间存在巨大落差，加之深不见底的绿卡排期，许多在硅谷核心岗位工作数十年的外籍顶尖人才正深陷无休止的身份悬置困局。面对这种不确定性，越来越多技术移民开始转向加拿大、德国等审批高效且积极吸纳人才的国家作为备用方案。这不仅使得为子女谋求未来的移民家庭承受巨大心理煎熬，也直接威胁到依赖多元人才协作与专利创新的美国核心科技竞争优势。 ## Atmosphere & style 整体基调严谨沉郁且带着强烈的现实关怀，融合了宏观数据分析与个体叙事的深层刺痛感。受访者的讲述克制而沉重，从满怀憧憬赴美深造、扎根工作，到被困在长达数十年的排期停滞中，情绪弧线充满了疲惫、迷茫与无奈。观看过程如同置身一场对科技繁荣背后制度代价的冷峻审视，既有对政策撕裂与全球人才争夺战的深刻警示，也流淌着普通家庭为了生存确定性而被迫漂泊的隐秘酸楚。 ## Bulletin - [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=0s) 签证配额供需严重失衡：美国每年发放约 40 万张 F-1 留学生签证，但面向外籍企业员工的 H-1B 工作签证年度配额仅有 8.5 万张，巨大落差使国际人才在留美初始阶段便面临狭窄瓶颈。 - [01:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=82s) 硅谷高科技生态极度依赖海外智力：硅谷科技从业人员中有三分之二出生于美国本土之外，美国 AI 经济及科技巨头的持续繁荣高度依托来自印度和中国等国的高技能人才。 - [01:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=82s) 全球竞争对手加速截流顶尖人才：面对美国漫长且不可预测的绿卡排期，加拿大（部分调动仅需 2 个月获批）与德国等发达国家正以高效透明的政策积极招揽高技能技术移民。 - [02:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=153s) 政策摇摆撕裂危及国家创新护城河：政府在科技领袖吸纳全球最优秀人才的呼吁与“美国优先”紧缩立场间摇摆，无休止的身份悬置状态正动摇美国由多元团队协作驱动的专利与发明优势。 ## Key takeaways - [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=0s) 供需倒挂造成人才漏斗：每年约 40 万张 F-1 学生签证与仅 8.5 万张 H-1B 配额之间存在巨大落差，大批合规培养的人才受困于留美工作门槛。 - [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=0s) 合法合规移民遭遇信任危机：尽管遵循了所有纳税与合规流程，行政混乱与签证政策不确定性仍让高技能移民对是否真正被美国需要产生困惑。 - [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=0s) 顶尖人才开始权衡去留：受访的 50 位高技能外籍技术人才普遍在“继续在美苦等排期”与“转向其他友好国家发展”之间严肃抉择。 - [01:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=82s) 硅谷从业者三分之二来自海外：美国由 AI 驱动的核心科技经济长期高度依赖以印中为代表的外国出生技术骨干。 - [01:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=82s) 绿卡排期不可预期催生备选方案（Plan B）：即使获得 H-1B 签证并由顶级雇主（如 IBM）赞助绿卡，漫长未知的等待时间仍迫使资深专家移居加拿大等国。 - [01:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=82s) 外籍人才防备机制增强：面对繁苛漫长的移民流程，越来越多资深专家将雇主“第一天（Day 1）赞助绿卡”作为考虑赴美工作的硬性前提条件。 - [01:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=82s) 加拿大以行政效率分流人才：加拿大签证可在短短两个月内完成审批并协助家庭落地，成为承接美国外流技术专家的重要枢纽。 - [02:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=153s) 移民政策陷入内生性矛盾：政府既需回应科技巨头吸纳全球顶尖智慧的迫切诉求，又必须兼顾以收紧移民为核心的“美国优先”基本盘。 - [02:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=153s) 数十年身份悬置带来现实代价：有案例显示技术专家自 1994 年离开母国赴美，经历近 40 年漫长漂泊才得以进入身份调整程序。 - [02:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=153s) 业界强烈呼吁明确的身份通道：外籍人才迫切希望建立具有透明规则与明确时间表的移民体系，以终结无限期的身份停滞（Indefinite Limbo）。 - [02:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=153s) 欧洲发达国家高调抢夺技术人才：以德国为代表的国家正积极出台优惠政策吸纳高技能外籍员工，认可高薪技术移民对经济发展与福利体系的重大贡献。 - [02:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=153s) 本土与外籍协作是创新主引擎：研究显示，美国本土劳动力与外籍工程师并肩协同研发，能显著驱动重大科研突破与专利产出率提升。 - [02:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=153s) 传统“美国梦”根基遭遇制度侵蚀：移民父母为子女追求更广阔发展空间的核心驱动力，正受到僵化排期与系统性不确定性的严重挫伤。 ## Detailed walkthrough ### [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=0s) 美国梦的动摇与技术移民的抉择 长久以来，“美国梦”一直吸引着全球的顶尖技术人才。来到美国曾被视作追求财富与机遇的灯塔，而美国也凭借这些顶尖移民带来的源源不断的智力支持，确立了数十年来的全球创新领先地位。然而，随着政府行政体制的混乱以及签证政策的反复无常，这种利益权衡的基石正在发生动摇。越来越多的外国技术人员感到困惑：自己明明遵循了所有合法合规的步骤，在这个国家努力工作、纳税并扎根，如今却不得不怀疑这个国家是否真的还需要他们。这种不确定性正在动摇美国维持了数十年的核心竞争优势。 每年，美国政府向希望前往美国大学深造的外国留学生发放约 40 万张 F-1 学生签证，而面向希望留在美国企业工作的国际人才，每年的 H-1B 工作签证配额却仅有 8.5 万张。巨大的供需鸿沟使得留美之路变得极其逼仄。面对前景不明的身份困局，已有 50 位受访的高技能移民正在严肃权衡，究竟是继续留在美国苦等身份，还是转向其他欢迎他们的国家寻求发展。 - 每年美国发放的 F-1 国际学生签证数量约为 40 万张。 - 每年提供给进入美国企业工作的国际技术人才的 H-1B 签证配额仅为 8.5 万张。 - 50 位接受深入访谈的高技能移民普遍在“继续留美等待”与“奔赴其他国家”之间徘徊。 ### [01:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=82s) 绿卡困局与转战加拿大的 Plan B Vivek 是 20 世纪 90 年代首批获得 H-1B 签证进入美国的技术移民之一。当时美国正面临巨大的人才缺口，Vivek 成功入职 IBM，并得以进入其顶尖的 T.J. 沃森研究中心（T.J. Watson Labs）工作，这在他看来是极大的幸运和梦想的实现。对于外籍技术人才而言，获得 H-1B 签证通常被视为拿到美国永久居留权（绿卡）并最终安家落户的最可行路径。然而，尽管 IBM 为 Vivek 赞助申请了绿卡，但具体何时能够真正获批却成了一个深不见底的未知数。面对遥遥无期的等待，Vivek 决定通过 IBM 申请前往加拿大作为“备用计划”（Plan B）。令人意外的是，加拿大签证仅仅两个月就顺利获批，他们一家人随即果断选择移居渥太华。 在当今硅谷，三分之二的科技从业人员均出生于海外。尽管美国已然成为由人工智能（AI）驱动的全球经济引擎，但这项繁荣多年来高度依赖来自印度和中国等国家的高技能技术移民。许多资深人才在面对美国企业的工作机会时甚至开出极其严苛的条件：除非雇主从入职第一天（Day 1）就启动绿卡赞助流程，否则绝不考虑赴美。这反映出国际人才对美国漫长绿卡排期的极度焦虑与防御心态。 ```mermaid flowchart TD accTitle: 高技能技术人才在美身份路径与困境 accDescr: 展示从留学到工作签证，再到漫长绿卡排期与转向其他国家的完整路径 subgraph US_Path ["美国身份晋升路径"] A["留美求学 (F-1 签证 / 每年约40万)"] --> B["企业雇佣 (H-1B 抽签 / 每年约8.5万)"] B --> C["企业赞助绿卡申请"] C --> D{"漫长排期与政策不确定性"} end subgraph Alternatives ["备选出路 (Plan B)"] D -->|"长达数十年的无休止等待"| E["身份陷入停滞 (Limbo)"] D -->|"转战快速通道国家"| F["移居加拿大 / 2个月获批"] D -->|"欧洲积极抢人"| G["前往德国等欧洲国家"] end ``` - 硅谷科技工作者中有三分之二（2/3）出生于美国本土之外。 - 美国的 AI 经济与前沿技术生态长期高度依托印中两国的高端技术移民。 - 加拿大等国以极快的审批效率（如部分企业调动仅需 2 个月）迅速分流受阻于美国绿卡排期的顶尖人才。 ### [02:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=153s) 政策撕裂、全球抢人与美国创新优势的危机 高技能移民的处境因政府移民政策的反复无常而变得更加复杂。特朗普政府在移民问题上面临着两难撕裂：一方面，他希望回馈在 2024 年大选中支持他连任的硅谷科技巨头 CEO 们，这些科技领袖强烈呼吁“美国必须从全世界招募最聪明、最优秀的人才”，并驳斥所谓本土已有足够人才的言论；但另一方面，特朗普政府又必须践行“美国优先”的政治基本盘，通过收紧和限制移民政策来迎合选民诉求。这种政策上的自相矛盾成为了受访的 50 位技术移民心头最大的梗阻，让他们觉得原本规划好的生活路径被硬生生阻断。 这种不确定性带来了残酷的现实代价。有技术人员在 1994 年离开印度，历经了近 40 年漫长坎坷的漂泊与等待，直到近期才终于走到申请身份调整（Adjustment of Status）这最后一步。受访者直言，移民体制必须有一条确定性的路径——只要完成了明确的准则与要求，就应该在明确的时间框架内获得身份，这种无限期的停滞状态（Indefinite Limbo）对任何人都是一种折磨。与美国的迟疑形成鲜明对比的是，包括德国在内的诸多发达国家正在全球范围内高调争夺这类人才，公开表态欢迎高技能印度技术人员，并肯定高薪移民对本国社会与福利体系的巨大贡献。如果这些顶尖创新者因签证排期被迫离开美国，其后果将是灾难性的：研究表明，当美国本土员工与外国出生的工程师并肩协作时，其创新产出、发明创造以及专利产出率都会显著攀升。对这些移民父母而言，拼尽全力来到美国本是为了给子女争取最好的未来，这也是“美国梦”最核心的本质，但这一梦想如今正面临前所未有的制度考验。 - 案例中的技术移民从 1994 年离开印度赴美，经历了近 40 年的漫长历程才进入绿卡最后一步的身份调整。 - 移民群体强烈呼吁透明且具有确定性的时间表，终结“无休止的身份悬置”状态。 - 德国等国正加紧制定优惠政策招揽高收入外国技术人才，将其视为提升社会福利与科技创新的核心力量。 - 统计与历史经验表明，外国顶尖人才与美国本土劳动力的融合协作，是推动美国专利产生与重大技术突破的核心驱动力。 ## Notable quotes > [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=0s) “美国梦”一直吸引着全球的顶尖技术人才。 > [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=0s) 自己明明遵循了所有合法合规的步骤，在这个国家努力工作、纳税并扎根，如今却不得不怀疑这个国家是否真的还需要他们。 > [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=0s) 面对前景不明的身份困局，已有 50 位受访的高技能移民正在严肃权衡，究竟是继续留在美国苦等身份，还是转向其他欢迎他们的国家寻求发展。 > [01:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=82s) 尽管 IBM 为 Vivek 赞助申请了绿卡，但具体何时能够真正获批却成了一个深不见底的未知数。 > [01:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=82s) 在当今硅谷，三分之二的科技从业人员均出生于海外。 > [01:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=82s) 除非雇主从入职第一天（Day 1）就启动绿卡赞助流程，否则绝不考虑赴美。 > [02:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=153s) 美国必须从全世界招募最聪明、最优秀的人才 — 硅谷科技巨头 CEO > [02:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=153s) 移民体制必须有一条确定性的路径——只要完成了明确的准则与要求，就应该在明确的时间框架内获得身份 > [02:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=153s) 这种无限期的停滞状态（Indefinite Limbo）对任何人都是一种折磨。 > [02:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=153s) 当美国本土员工与外国出生的工程师并肩协作时，其创新产出、发明创造以及专利产出率都会显著攀升。 > [02:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI&t=153s) 拼尽全力来到美国本是为了给子女争取最好的未来，这也是“美国梦”最核心的本质，但这一梦想如今正面临前所未有的制度考验。 ## Mentioned Vivek, IBM, T.J. 沃森研究中心 (T.J. Watson Labs), 唐纳德·特朗普 (Donald Trump), 硅谷 (Silicon Valley), 加拿大 (Canada), 德国 (Germany), 印度 (India), 中国 (China), 渥太华 (Ottawa), F-1 签证, H-1B 签证, 绿卡 / 永久居留权, 身份调整 (Adjustment of Status) ## Video description (Corrects reference to 16-square-kilometer solar array at 3:26 in video originally published on June 15). “Data centers in space” may sound like science fiction, but as the SpaceX IPO augurs a space boom, tech giants and startups are betting orbital artificial intelligence is the next frontier. How to Build a Data Center in Space: https://bloom.bg/4fSeMXn Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos plan to make AI extraterrestrial. Building data centers in space is still a relatively nascent idea, but it’s gaining traction and financial backing, as energy and space constraints limit the expansion of massive computing facilities here on Earth. Earlier this year, in the latest leg of their decades-long space race, Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin both announced plans to build and launch so-called orbital data centers. Learn more: https://bloom.bg/4fSeMXn 00:00-01:36 The AI data center squeeze 01:37-03:43 Starcloud’s big ambition 03:44-04:17 Why data centers in space make sense 04:18-8:15 The engineering challenges and possible solutions 08:16-09:28 Reducing the cost of launch 09:29-09:57 Global race to get there 09:58-11:47 China’s different approach 11:48-13:21 Who will control the next internet? -------- Like this video? Subscribe: http://www.youtube.com/Bloomberg?sub_confirmation=1 Get unlimited access to Bloomberg.com for just $1.99 your first month: https://www.bloomberg.com/subscriptions?in_source=YoutubeOriginals Bloomberg Originals offers bold takes for curious minds on today’s biggest topics. Hosted by experts covering stories you haven’t seen and viewpoints you haven’t heard, you’ll discover cinematic, data-led shows that investigate the intersection of business and culture. Exploring every angle of climate change, technology, finance, sports and beyond, Bloomberg Originals is business as you’ve never seen it. Subscribe for business news, but not as you've known it: exclusive interviews, fascinating profiles, data-driven analysis, and the latest in tech innovation from around the world. Visit our partner channel Bloomberg News for global news and insight in an instant. [Source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNI4N3-FcEI)

[0:00] “美国梦”一直吸引着全球的顶尖技术人才。 [0:00] 自己明明遵循了所有合法合规的步骤，在这个国家努力工作、纳税并扎根，如今却不得不怀疑这个国家是否真的还需要他们。 [0:00] 面对前景不明的身份困局，已有 50 位受访的高技能移民正在严肃权衡，究竟是继续留在美国苦等身份，还是转向其他欢迎他们的国家寻求发展。 [1:22] 尽管 IBM 为 Vivek 赞助申请了绿卡，但具体何时能够真正获批却成了一个深不见底的未知数。 [1:22] 在当今硅谷，三分之二的科技从业人员均出生于海外。 [1:22] 除非雇主从入职第一天（Day 1）就启动绿卡赞助流程，否则绝不考虑赴美。 [2:33] 硅谷科技巨头 CEO: 美国必须从全世界招募最聪明、最优秀的人才 [2:33] 移民体制必须有一条确定性的路径——只要完成了明确的准则与要求，就应该在明确的时间框架内获得身份 [2:33] 这种无限期的停滞状态（Indefinite Limbo）对任何人都是一种折磨。 [2:33] 当美国本土员工与外国出生的工程师并肩协作时，其创新产出、发明创造以及专利产出率都会显著攀升。 [2:33] 拼尽全力来到美国本是为了给子女争取最好的未来，这也是“美国梦”最核心的本质，但这一梦想如今正面临前所未有的制度考验。

[0:00] The narrative around skilled immigration in the United States is undergoing a significant shift. [0:00] Historically, coming to the US served as a beacon of opportunity for high-skilled immigrants seeking to build their futures, while simultaneously fueling American technological innovation with top-tier talent. [0:00] Today, ongoing administrative uncertainty and visa volatility are causing many skilled workers—who feel they have done everything right—to question whether the country still wants them, putting America's decades-long competitive edge at risk. [1:09] The H-1B visa has long been considered the primary pathway to securing a green card and establishing a permanent life in the US. [2:33] Skilled immigrants face added complexity due to shifting political directives under the Trump administration, which struggles to balance the demands of top tech leaders who advocate for recruiting global talent against "America First" policies aimed at restricting immigration. [2:33] This ongoing policy flip-flopping creates a landscape of deep uncertainty, where long-standing residency pathways suddenly feel unattainable or subject to abrupt changes. [2:33] more deterministic path

[0:00] This story is all about the American dream. [0:05] It used to be that coming to the US [0:08] was this beacon of opportunity for skilled immigrants [0:12] who wanted to pursue their fortune. [0:14] And in turn, the US received [0:16] all the innovation that comes with having top talent. [0:19] But now, with all the administration chaos [0:23] and the visa back and forth, [0:24] that calculus is changing. [0:26] The trend we're seeing is that immigrant workers who feel like [0:29] they've done everything right to stay in this country, [0:31] are now wondering if the country wants them at all. [0:33] This could affect the competitive advantage [0:35] that America’s held for decades. [0:47] Each year, the government issues 400,000 F-1 visas [0:50] for foreign students who want to come to an American university. [0:53] At the same time, they offer [0:54] 85,000 H-1B visas for international talent [0:58] that want to come and work at American companies. [1:00] For this story, we talked to 50 immigrant skilled-workers [1:02] who are considering if they should continue to try to stay in the US [1:05] or look at other opportunities in other countries. [1:09] This is our first picture in New York City [1:11] when we came and we did our tour [1:13] on the New York City ferry. [1:17] This is Canada. [1:18] See that, Canadian parliament. [1:21] This is in Ottawa? [1:22] Ottawa. [1:22] Vivek is part of the first wave of H-1B visa holders that came in the 1990s. [1:28] He came to work for IBM, [1:29] and they came to plug the tech gap that was present. [1:33] Coming to IBM was a dream for me in those days. [1:36] And working with T.J. Watson Labs, which is the top lab of IBM, [1:40] great blessing. [1:42] For international talent, the H-1B visa has been [1:45] seen as the most viable way to secure a green card [1:47] and eventually have a life in the US. [1:49] Eventually, I filed for the green card. IBM sponsored it [1:52] and was not very clear that when it will [1:54] actually be even possible to get that green card. [1:57] I basically applied for as a plan B to apply to Canada with IBM. [2:02] And to my surprise, it came out within two months [2:03] and we pulled the trigger and move to Canada. [2:07] Two thirds of tech workers in Silicon Valley are foreign born. [2:11] Even though the US is now a powerhouse of the AI-fueled economy, [2:17] it's relied for years and years [2:18] and years on a lot of skilled immigrants [2:20] coming from countries like India and China. [2:23] A US company presented an opportunity to come to the US and work with them. [2:27] My condition was that unless they sponsored my green card [2:30] from the day one, I will not be interested in moving. [2:33] Making matters more complicated for skilled immigrants, [2:36] the Trump administration is flip flopping on immigration policy. [2:39] We need high-skilled workers in this country. [2:41] Yes. [2:41] We need to recruit the best and brightest from the world. [2:44] I agree. [2:45] On one hand, he wants to support the top tech CEOs [2:47] who helped him get reelected in 2024. [2:49] Also do have to bring in talent. When the country's— [2:52] We have plenty of talented people— - No, you don’t. [2:54] On the other hand, the Trump administration wants to support [2:57] America First policy by limiting immigration. [2:59] All the 50 skilled immigrants [3:02] that we spoke to, that was the sticking point for them. [3:05] That was a moment where the path [3:07] that they had charted would not be possible anymore. [3:10] I have left India in 1994. [3:12] In my case, it took almost 40 years [3:15] by the time I applied [3:16] for the green card, and to a point [3:18] where I can apply for the last stage [3:21] which is the adjustment of status. [3:22] It has been a long journey. [3:24] There should be a more deterministic path to say [3:26] if you do x, y, z thing, there is a time frame [3:29] in which you will be able to achieve certain things. [3:31] That indefinite limbo is not good for anybody. [3:35] There are a lot of other countries [3:37] now which are pitching [3:39] for these highly skilled immigrants. [3:41] Highly skilled Indians are welcome in Germany. [3:43] High salary means that Indians [3:46] are contributing big time to our society and our welfare. [3:50] If these talented workers leave the US, [3:52] it's going to affect innovation. [3:55] When US workers also come alongside foreign-born workers, [3:59] the likelihood of innovating and inventing, [4:03] producing more patents goes up considerably. [4:08] Every dream of a parent is to give your kids [4:11] the best opportunities, and that's what the American Dream is about absolutely.