Area 51

IIT Alumnus. Ironman. Immigration Activist. Startup Founder.  In today's episode we are joined by Atal Agarwal who has been wearing each of these hats with ease. Atal is an  inspirational figure whose journey embodies resilience, innovation, and a commitment to creating positive change. Join us as we we unravel the inspiring journey of Atal Agarwal, a visionary entrepreneur, immigration advocate and trailblazer, who continues to inspire others with his unwavering commitment to making a difference. 

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For the first time since the 60s, there has been a huge proposed change to the American immigration system. DHS has proposed sweeping reforms to the H-1B visa system. While there are many positives that will enrich the lives of immigrants, there are few that could act as a poison pill to the positives and could potentially make life difficult for immigrants here.

In today's episode, we are joined by attorney Steven Brown from the Reddy & Neumann law firm to discuss the proposed changes their impacts to our lives. Armed with his infectious energy and humor, Steven sheds more light on clamping down on multiple H-1B entries, options for H-1B entrepreneurs, remote job offers,  cap gap extensions ,more FDNS site visits and a stricter definition of specialty occupations. 

Join us in this episode to gain a better understanding on what the future holds for a H-1B visa holder in America. 

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In today’s episode, we welcome Hemant Gangolia the founder of iNRI. Hemant is an immigrant entrepreneur who has faced his fair share of obstacles on the path to success. Rather than give in to these setbacks, he used them as stepping stones to propel himself forward. With a dream to democratize access to one of the fastest growing economies, he embarked on a mission to create iNRI, an investment platform that allows Indian expats to invest in Indian index and debt funds.

Join us as we trace Hemant’s journey through IIT, IIM, Mckinsey, Walmart, Meta, YCombinator and the US immigration system. For an immigrant entrepreneur there is a treasure trove of information as Hemant details how he launched his company while being on a dependent visa in America. If you’re interested in generating passive income, tune into the episode to understand more about iNRI.

At the end of the episode, Hemant has a giveaway for all the listeners. If you’d like to take advantage of the giveaway, reach out to us at [email protected]. 

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Jaahnavi Kandula. Aishwarya Thatikonda. Sai Charan Nakka. Vamsi Reddy Mamidala. Saiesh Veera. Sharath Koppu. 6 Indian graduate students. 6 tragic stories. 6 unfulfilled dreams. In this somber episode, we delve into their heart wrenching stories that has left countless people in shock and grief. In an attempt to shed light on the untold stories of Indian Immigrants, we explore the lives of 6 graduate students whose lives were tragically cut short. This episode is intended to offer a glimpse into the dreams they pursued and the immense potential that was lost. Join us as we honor the memories of these students, amplify their voices and advocate the collective responsibility we share in fostering a compassionate and understanding community. 

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A month ago, around 21 Indian students were detained on arrival, interrogated and deported back to India. What started off as a journey filled with hope, excitement and an opportunity to  chase the coveted American dream ended as a nightmare as they were detained, interrogated and deported back to India banned from any further travel to US. Many of those students had sacrificed much to make it to that point and had nothing to show for it. Manisha and Balaji were two of those students. In this episode, they walk Rahul, Sanjay and Jon Wasden through their traumatic journey. Even though they've been to hell and back, they are determined to correct the injustice they've faced and raise awareness on this issue. 

If you want to say hi or have an idea for a podcast episode, this is an easy way for you to reach out. We’ll be more than happy to hear from you!

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In a galaxy not so far away, the stories of Indian immigrants in America intersect with a pressing issue that could be straight out of a Star Wars plotline. Join us in Area 51's latest episode as we delve into the intricate web of work visas, FDNS site visits, data collection and fraud findings, guided by a seasoned immigration attorney, Jonathan Wasden who is nothing short of a Jedi in the realm of law.

Jon takes us on a journey starting from his days as an attorney for the government to fighting for Indian Immigrants and their rights.  Tune in as we dive headfirst into understanding  immigrant data gathering, voluntary immigration exercises, multiple H-1B registrations, lawsuits against the government while raising thought-provoking questions about privacy, rights and other hurdles in the quest for the Indian American dream.

May the force be with you (You're going to need it...)

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Join us on an extraordinary journey through time where culture, community and commerce beautifully collide. In today’s episode, we unveil the inspiring tale behind one of America’s most beloved Indian grocery stories- Patel Brothers! For many decades now, Patel Brothers have been bridging the gap between America and India by empowering immigrants to stay deeply rooted in their rich cultural heritage by providing easy access to their cherished ingredients. Join us as we take you back to their humble beginnings, from a tiny shop on Devon Street to a profitable business empire for all things Indian in United States. Discover their trials and triumphs as they navigated the challenges of immigrating to a new land and witness their resilience and grit in building the empire they have today and their commitment to their community’s growth. Patel Brothers has become more than just a grocery store. They have become a symbol of support, helping Indian Immigrants preserve their traditions, connect with their roots and find a sense of belonging in their new home. 

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Every year the annual immigration hunger games that is the 'H-1B Lottery' leaves thousands disappointed and disheartened. Applicants on their third and final attempt have to pick up their broken dreams and figure out what their options are to continue living and working in America. In this episode Rahul and Sanjay discuss the available options at your disposal if your application was not successful in the lottery. Ranging from alternate visas, self-filed green card petitions , partnering with non-profits there are some avenues to consider if you have had an unlucky H-1B season. 

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The term alien is used to describe any person not a citizen or national of the United States. Very welcoming right. We have all felt outrage being called an alien at some point during our stay here. One person actually decided to do something about it.  In this episode, we are joined by filmmaker Vidyut Latay to talk about her feature documentary film, Alien. Directed by someone who has first hand experience in navigating the immigration system,  Alien exposes the human toll of America's dependence on high-skilled legal immigrants. With the tech layoffs and a broken immigration system looming over our heads, there could not have been a better time for someone to showcase the plight of the community.  

If you want to say hi or have an idea for a podcast episode, this is an easy way for you to reach out. We’ll be more than happy to hear from you!

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USCIS has been busy since the start of 2023. We have seen more activity in the first two months than the whole of 2022. So we thought it would be helpful to discuss some of the updates for our listeners. In this episode we cover the proposed fee hikes, the "helpful"  options provided by USCIS to help tech workers who have been laid off among other topics. We have some wins to celebrate namely the implementation of a pilot program for visa stamp renewals and a step in the right direction towards addressing the issue of children ageing out while waiting for a green card. Our hearts go out to Tanvi Marupally's family in Arkansas and we hope through this podcast, we can increase the attention to her search and she's safely brought back home. 

If you want to say hi or have an idea for a podcast episode, this is an easy way for you to reach out. We’ll be more than happy to hear from you!

If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to show us some love by giving us a rating and writing a review!