Navigating Immigration Uncertainty: Reflections from the South Asian Community

As a licensed therapist working with South Asian clients in California and New Jersey,

I’ve noticed a shift in the way many South Asian immigrants discuss life in the United

States. The conversations sound hopeful, but also hold fear, confusion, and uncertainty. Immigration has never been an easy journey, but the current landscape is raising new and challenging questions for many individuals and families.

Three themes often arise in sessions with my clients and in community discussions: the evolving nature of work and technology, uncertainty surrounding shifting politics and visa regulations, and challenges related to cultural acceptance. Each of these touches not only our practical lives, but also our sense of belonging, purpose, and future.

1. Increasing Fear of Job Loss from AI

For many South Asians, particularly those in the tech industry, career growth and stability have long been tied to immigration. But the rapid rise of AI is shifting that narrative. Recent layoffs at companies that favor AI-powered automation highlight the growing threat of job displacement. While innovation creates opportunities, it also fuels deep anxiety—especially for those who worked hard to carve a place in this industry. I hear clients share fears like: “What if my role becomes obsolete?” or “If this is all I’ve built my life around, what happens to me when the industry changes?” These fears often move beyond jobs and into identity—leading to existential questions like: “Who am I outside of my career?” and “What do I want my life to mean?” 

These existential questions are real and common. They can trigger doomsday thinking and a sense of helplessness. Yet, they’re also an opportunity to reflect on values beyond work and consider how one’s identity can expand in new directions.

2. Visa Regulation and Planning for the Future

Evolving visa regulations and shifting policy landscapes create uncertainty for many South Asian immigrants: unable to plan long-term, unsure if they will be allowed to stay, and worried about uprooting their families. 

For millennials who are now married or raising children, these questions cut deeper: 

• Do we continue to live in limbo, hoping the rules shift in our favor? 

• Do we move back, even though we’ve built our lives here? 

• What will stability look like for our children? 

Many also express frustration: “We studied hard, followed the rules, and worked diligently, yet we face these uncertainties.” 

This uncertainty creates anxiety, but also prompts reflection: how much of life do we put on hold for “what ifs”? How do we balance practicality with the desire for safety and belonging? 

The recent news about a potential $100k H1B visa fee was a stark example of this uncertainty. Many immigrants I work with felt immediate anxiety and panic, their bodies going into fight-or-flight mode as they felt destabilized. Even after the government clarified who would be impacted with this proclamation, the relief quickly gave way to a reminder that life here can feel impermanent, fueling hopelessness and a sense of not belonging.These feelings are not irrational but natural responses to instability.

3. Belonging and Cultural Acceptance

Alongside career and visa worries, some immigrants encounter challenges related to cultural acceptance, including some incidents of anti-Indian sentiment. Online forums and social spaces sometimes tell South Asians to “blend in,” to downplay cultural practices, which can feel like pressure to conform rather than express their identity freely. These ongoing sentiments can leave people feeling outcast, silenced, or 

“othered.” The message becomes: “You can be here, but only if you shrink yourself.” The cost of belonging under these terms is high—connection, pride, and authenticity often take the hit. For many, this erodes the sense of home. If we can’t show up as ourselves, then where do we truly belong?

My Therapeutic Approach

As a therapist, I often work with clients to pause and reflect on these big questions using Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Existential Therapy. Therapy can be a powerful tool for South Asian immigrants, offering a safe space to process anxiety from visa uncertainties, reclaim cultural strengths impacted by external pressures, and build resilience against fears of job loss or cultural rejection. Instead of focusing only on what is happening externally (which we often cannot control), I invite clients to explore: 

• What am I living for? 

• What matters most to me and my family? 

• What can I let go of, knowing it doesn’t serve my long-term values? 

Sometimes, I also ask a simple but grounding question: “What’s the worst that could happen?” Visualizing and even embodying the worst-case scenario helps many people build acceptance. Once the fear loses its grip, the power it holds over us diminishes. 

From there, clients often feel more in control of their choices and less driven by fear. Immigration, more than being just policy and paperwork, shapes identity, family, and a sense of belonging. The current moment brings with it uncertainty, but also presents an opportunity to ask: What kind of life do I want to live, regardless of the circumstances? If you find yourself struggling with these questions, you are not alone. Reflecting on values, building tolerance for uncertainty, and reconnecting with what gives your life meaning can bring a sense of clarity, even in times of chaos. 

For more insights, explore my articles on common mental health challenges for South Asians, culturally sensitive therapy, or themes immigrants bring to treatment. Ready to take the next step? Reach out via my contact form to schedule a consultation and explore how therapy can support your journey. Sharing this post with others who might relate can also foster connection—because no one should feel alone in these challenges.