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A Karnataka-born entrepreneur has become a US citizen after years of visa setbacks, job rejections and a difficult immigration episode that nearly changed his life.
His journey from a small village to America came with more than he expected. (Instagram/@saimanshetty)
A Karnataka-born entrepreneur has shared his journey from moving to the US as an international student to eventually becoming a citizen. Along the way, he faced debt, visa setbacks and several job rejections.
Saiman Shetty, who now runs his own company, also recalled facing an attempt by people he described as “jealous” to report him to US immigration authorities. He said the experience made him even more determined to support other immigrants.
Shetty Recalls His Difficult Start In America
Shetty said his journey began in a small village in Karnataka before he moved to the US as an international student. He arrived in Arizona with no established support system and had to adjust to a new country and language.
“It starts in a village in Karnataka you won’t find on any map. A broke international student, a one-way ticket, and the flaming hot desert of Arizona waiting on the other side. New country, new language, new everything. The first person in my family to ever set foot on this side of the world. No friends. No safety net. No plan B,” Shetty recalled.
He said his early years were far from easy. He had debts to repay, struggled to find jobs and lost the H1B visa lottery. Immigration backlogs also added to the uncertainty.
“America did not roll out a red carpet. She beat me up. She tested me at every single turn. The debt I didn’t know how I’d repay. The jobs that said no. The H1B lottery I lost. The backlogs. Walking away from a comfortable Silicon Valley paycheck to go build something of my own. Every step, I had to prove myself. Again. And again,” he wrote.
A Report To USCIS Added Another Challenge
Shetty said his immigration journey became even more difficult after some people he knew allegedly reported him to USCIS, claiming he was a “fraud”.
He described the incident as an attempt to get him deported and said the matter left him facing another major challenge in a process that was already difficult.
“A few jealous pricks decided I was a ‘fraud’ and built a neat little trap for me. Handed it to USCIS with a bow on top. And for a moment, the most powerful immigration system on earth almost took the bait. But there’s one thing this country is known for above all else. And in the end, that’s exactly what showed up. Justice,” Shetty said.
He has now received US citizenship and said the experience has strengthened his wish to speak up for immigrants dealing with visa problems and long waits.
Shetty Says His Story Is For Other Immigrants
Sharing his experience, Shetty addressed people currently dealing with different stages of the US immigration process.
“If you’re on an F1, scared and half a world from home. This is for you. If you’re on an H1B, an O1, an L1, watching the clock and praying to the lottery gods. This is for you. If you’re stuck in a green card backlog that feels like it will never end. This is for you. And if you’re anyone, anywhere, daring to dream a life bigger than the one you were handed. This is for you.”
He said his own experience has changed the way he views the immigrant community and made him more willing to support others going through similar problems.
“I just walked the entire path you’re on. All the way to the end. And it did one thing above everything else. It made me more committed than ever to standing up for immigrants. Trolls wanted me deported. Instead, I’m an American. And I am still, very much, an immigrant. Fighting harder for us than I ever have,” he wrote.
He ended his message with a simple piece of advice: “Follow the law, do the right thing and keep working hard!”
Shetty’s Career Has Included Tesla And Lyft
According to his LinkedIn profile, Shetty studied engineering at Visvesvaraya Technological University before completing his master’s degree at Arizona State University. He began his professional journey as an intern at BSNL and later worked with companies including Tesla and Lyft.
He eventually left the corporate path and started his own company in 2023. His citizenship announcement also drew congratulatory messages online.
A person wrote, “Congratulations, Saiman! Proud to see how far you have grown since meeting you.”
Another asked, “How many years did it take you to become a citizen?” Others congratulated him, with one user simply calling the achievement “awesome.”
Key Questions Answered
Ask News18International students in the US face challenges including debt, visa setbacks, job rejections, and difficulties adjusting to a new country and language. They may also experience loneliness and mental health struggles. Uncertainty around visas, Optional Practical Training (OPT) rules, and long-term settlement pathways can make the US harder to navigate. Additionally, a weakening rupee against the dollar can cause financial hardship for students from India.
Ask News18About the Author
A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on what’s creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture.
August 15, 2026, 16:08 IST
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