This as-told-to essay is predicated on a dialog with Vivienne Yang, a 31-year-old Taiwanese nationwide who misplaced her job and needed to depart the US due to her visa standing, abandoning her condominium and two cats. It has been edited for size and readability.
I began falling for the American dream once I was in third grade.
It was a mixture of realizing that the Taiwanese training system wasn’t actually designed for me and turning into hooked on American popular culture like Taylor Swift, “Twilight,” and “America’s Subsequent High Mannequin.”
In 2018, at 23, I moved to New York for a grasp’s in utilized analytics at Columbia University, then landed a job in Manhattan’s ad-tech industry.
Over the following 5 years, I labored two full-time jobs, one after the opposite, every paying about $100,000, till I used to be laid off in 2024.
Getting laid off whereas on trip
Vivienne Yang
It was October, and I used to be on the second day of a 10-day trip to Japan with my companion once I realized I would been laid off.
I used to be watching Japanese TV reveals in our Airbnb after a day of sightseeing in Osaka, when my colleague referred to as me on Instagram to say he could not discover my Slack or e mail and that it appeared like my account had been deactivated.
I did not obtain any calls from HR as a result of my US SIM card wasn’t working.
I attempted to have enjoyable on the journey whereas fighting immigration issues. I spent my mornings speaking to immigration and labor legal professionals and emailing HR.
After which within the afternoons, we’d go sightseeing. The feelings got here two days after I heard the information, and I cried at a shrine in Kyoto. I used to be praying that I may return to the US.
The corporate agreed to delay my employment for a number of weeks in order that I may return to the US.
Leaving my life in New York behind
Vivienne Yang
I had constructed a life within the US. My total pal circle and my two cats had been there, and I would spent years saving so I may purchase a one-bedroom condominium in Brooklyn.
Throughout my grace interval, I modified from an H-1B to a B-2 vacationer visa so I may keep within the US a little bit longer, and I later renewed my B-2 so I may keep for a full yr. My lawyer advised me to not point out that I used to be a home-owner, as a result of it may make it appear to be I meant to immigrate.
Job looking out was troublesome. I spent a number of months on the hunt, with greater than 20 unsuccessful interviews.
Then, in September final yr, the Trump administration rolled out the $100,000 price for brand new H-1B candidates. Though that would not have utilized to me, I really feel prefer it affected employers’ willingness to rent international staff.
After a number of months, I ended specializing in company jobs. I could not see myself in company America anymore. I would all the time liked appearing and bought accepted into an appearing program in New York, and was supposed to start out in March this yr.
In December 2025, I traveled back to Taiwan to use for a scholar visa. I cried the entire solution to JFK airport and on the airplane. It felt like I used to be leaving for good.
My intestine was proper. My scholar visa was rejected as a result of I demonstrated immigration intent. I requested my American companion to maneuver into my condominium to care for the cats — Dexter and Deborah — whereas I discovered the way to get again.
I advised him to not ship my stuff as a result of I used to be set on going again.
Then I spotted that, given the present political local weather and the state of the financial system, it would not make sense to return to America anytime quickly.
Taiwan has helped me escape survival mode
Vivienne Yang
In Taiwan, I need not fear about my private security on a regular basis.
It is also so bizarre not having to fret a few visa. Now I can get any random gig with out worrying: “Oh, if I wish to do that, what sort of visa do I must get?”
One in every of my greatest worries over the previous yr in New York was not having health insurance and never understanding if I may afford to see a health care provider.
In Taiwan, particularly the northeastern city of Yilan, the place I reside, I can simply pop right into a clinic and spend lower than $10.
It has been a bit unusual getting used to residing with my household once more.
Now I reside in a three-bedroom condominium with my mother, dad, sister, and grandma, and there are guidelines on this home, like the place issues must be positioned and what number of layers to put on throughout colder months.
I sleep on a conveyable mattress within the storage room with out air-con, as a result of there’s not sufficient area in the home. It felt like my life bought downgraded.
No plans to return
I do not wish to take care of visa points anytime quickly, so I haven’t got plans to maneuver.
My companion plans to carry the cats in October.
I have been specializing in content material creation right here, whereas additionally instructing public talking in English. I am utilizing my financial savings to repay the mortgage on my Brooklyn condominium.
Regardless of all I went by means of, I do not remorse my transfer to the US.
If I hadn’t gone by means of that, I might nonetheless be asking myself, “Oh, what if I had gone?”
Now that I’ve had that have, I am clear about what I would like and who I’m.