Exploitative Visa Practices and Effects on Immigrant Architects
10/30/23 • 42 min
This episode shines a light on the withholding of critical information by architecture firms to create an uneven power dynamic as firms hold visa sponsorship over young, foreign workers.
Our storyteller this week is Cat - a pseudonym - who shares their personal experience with the H1B visa process in the United States and the challenges they faced while working at a reputable architecture firm.
Cat discusses the lack of transparency, exploitation, and the difficulty of seeking a life in the US versus other countries.
“I asked my employer, can I have my receipt number so I can go into USCIS system to look up whether or not I got selected this time. They told me that there is no longer such a thing as a receipt number. But this contradict with the official statement that USC has put out on their own website, this number obviously exists. It's just my employer decided not to disclose it.”
Key takeaways:
- The path to sponsorship can take years with uncertain results
- Lack of transparency in the H1B visa selection process
- Employers can legally withhold sponsorship information from workers
- Risk in the visa process creates opportunities to take advantage of sponsored workers
- There are many countries that provide better options for young architects
Connect with us:
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
This episode shines a light on the withholding of critical information by architecture firms to create an uneven power dynamic as firms hold visa sponsorship over young, foreign workers.
Our storyteller this week is Cat - a pseudonym - who shares their personal experience with the H1B visa process in the United States and the challenges they faced while working at a reputable architecture firm.
Cat discusses the lack of transparency, exploitation, and the difficulty of seeking a life in the US versus other countries.
“I asked my employer, can I have my receipt number so I can go into USCIS system to look up whether or not I got selected this time. They told me that there is no longer such a thing as a receipt number. But this contradict with the official statement that USC has put out on their own website, this number obviously exists. It's just my employer decided not to disclose it.”
Key takeaways:
- The path to sponsorship can take years with uncertain results
- Lack of transparency in the H1B visa selection process
- Employers can legally withhold sponsorship information from workers
- Risk in the visa process creates opportunities to take advantage of sponsored workers
- There are many countries that provide better options for young architects
Connect with us:
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★Next Episode
You Don't Look Like You Could Represent the Firm
The Turbulent Journey of an Accomplished Architect
This episode of Redlines tells the story of Natasha (a pseudonym), an architect with over 14 years of experience who faced discrimination and career roadblocks at the hands of her employer. Despite her expertise and external recognition, Natasha was excluded from opportunities and advancement.
Three major incidents:
- Natasha was invited to speak at a prestigious conference about her work in computational design.
- Her firm and professor plagiarized her work when she had the chance to pursue a PhD with a prominent university.
- Even after 14 years as an architect, Natasha faced more roadblocks when applying for promotion to senior architect.
Key Takeaways:
- Talented employees can face resentment and exclusion when their skills outshine others, especially when they don't fit expected demographic norms.
- Firms may prioritize maintaining power dynamics over equitable advancement, even at the expense of utilizing talent.
- Academia is not immune to unethical behavior when prestige and connections are at stake.
- Persist in developing your skills and pursuing your passion, even if your current environment doesn't value you.
Quotes:
“At the end I felt that because they had blocked my career, I can't do the work I enjoy the most and I also can't further develop."
Relevant Links:
- Out of Architecture website: https://www.outofarchitecture.com
- Information on becoming an Out of Architecture Patreon supporter: https://www.patreon.com/outofarchitecture
If you have resources to share that you think may be helpful to what was discussed in this episode, please email us at: [email protected]
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★If you like this episode you’ll love
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