₹2 crore in debt, sons stuck in the US: An Indian father’s American dream turns into a nightmare

The expectation of a brighter future in the United States has pulled Indian families into a whirlwind of hope and sacrifice. Parents prepare for years to secure their children’s future, pouring in everything - savings, loans, and sometimes even their homes - to get their kids top degrees abroad, chase high-paying jobs, and secure green cards.

But lately, that dream feels more like a mirage. Amid tightened US visa regulations, a tough job market, and policy changes under President Donald Trump, aspiring students are kept on the edge of their seats. For thousands, excitement has turned into heartbreak.





One such viral story has emerged from Visakhapatnam, where hope collided with cold reality.

A father's desperate gamble for his children’s education in the US

An Indian father from Visakhapatnam stretched his finances to the breaking point, borrowing heavily to fund his two sons' master’s degrees in the US. According to Aditya Rajgarhia, a local entrepreneur who shared the story on X, “A close friend of mine sent both his kids to the US despite not having the means to do it.” By the time the brothers finished their studies, the family’s debt had ballooned to ₹1.5 crore.

The father’s small business was already struggling, yet he continued supporting them from afar.

Trump's immigration policies hit hard

H-1B visas, once a reliable bridge from student life to full-time work, grew scarce under President Trump’s tightened rules following his 2025 inauguration. Indian graduates, who dominate H-1B lotteries, now face uncertain odds amid fewer entry-level tech jobs.

According to the post, both sons searched endlessly but remained unemployed, forcing their father to increase remittances. Aditya wrote, “Earlier, he would send them ₹1 lakh each month to augment their part-time income. After Trump, he asked them to quit their part-time jobs and started sending ₹2 lakh each.” The loans soon mounted to ₹2 crore, pushing the family toward selling their flat just to stay afloat.

Is there a ray of hope?

Fortunately, the elder son hit the H-1B jackpot in the latest draw and landed a modest-paying job. “Luckily, in the recent lottery, the elder one got picked, got a full-time job, and while the salary is low, at least he’s able to make ends meet,” Aditya shared on X. This eased some pressure, but the ordeal exposed deep vulnerabilities.

This incident calls for more empathy than judgment

Aditya called it “a terrible situation,” adding that “tens of thousands of Indian students (and parents) are in the same boat now, with more joining each year.”

He urged empathy over blame, saying, “It is easy for us to pass judgment sitting here, but it is quite difficult for young kids - caught between a market that no longer has many entry-level jobs available and a big loan back home that keeps growing.”

Similar stories have gone viral on Reddit and in news outlets, including cases of students burdened with ₹40 lakh loans leading to family illness and repayment struggles.