Co-authored by Shriya Deshpande.
Senior Arpit Jasapara first came to the United States in Nov. 2004. But unlike some other families, the Jasapara family had to go back to India every two years to renew their visas, the documents that determined whether they would be allowed back into the US.
In just one instant, one deferral, Jasapara’s life could be completely altered.
He was born in India and lived in Singapore for several years before moving to London and then Dubai because his mother did not want him to attend military school. Finally, he came to America, where he has lived for the past 10 years.
Jasapara’s family has gone through the visa process four times. He only got his green card, a document that allows someone to live and work in the United States, permanently three years ago after going on short trips to India in 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012 to renew his family’s Visas.
“It’s nerve racking to know that with one ‘no’ your entire life will be changed,” Jasapara said. “My entire culture would change; I’d have to move back to India, I’d have to make completely new friends, start over, go to a different school… That was terrifying.”
“It’s nerve racking to know that with one ‘no’ your entire life will be changed. My entire culture would change; I’d have to move back to India, I’d have to make completely new friends, start over, go to a different school… That was terrifying.”
The risk to come and live in the United States came from Jasapara’s dad job and his hope to educate both his sons in American schools.
Generally, American citizenship-holders have more opportunities to receive scholarships for college. Jasapara’s older brother received less financial support because of his legal status as an international student and this situation pertains to any other international student.
“Back when he was applying to college, he could not get any scholarships and tuition was much higher since he was considered an international student,” Jasapara said. “We ended up sending him to Foothill College for two years and then he transferred to the University of California, San Diego.”
The situation for Jasapara has changed. Because he now has a green card, he qualifies for most scholarships. The notable difference is that even though he is eligible for financial aid, some scholarship matching systems do not take into account whether a student has a green card. This means that even if a person is a permanent resident of the United States, the scholarship matcher might not take this into account, only considering citizens.
“When I was looking at scholarship match, it asked me if I was a citizen,” Jasapara said. “And when I clicked no, there were a few hundred options that just vanished.”
The naturalization process consists of filling out the application, followed by an interview that involves a two part test. In order for someone to be a citizen, they must be at least 18 years old or have been a permanent resident for at least five years.
Jasapara believes that sometimes people take their American citizenship status for granted and are not always aware of what it feels like to have your life constantly under question, to live with fear of a moment where you can be told that you cannot live in your home anymore.
While others experience stress due to financial issues or academic factors such as grades, it was not so for Jasapara — grades were not just a matter of getting accepted into reputable colleges. It was a matter of being able to continue living here.
“I also have the added pressure of ‘I have to do my best, my very best’ to show that I can be a valuable part of this nation,” Jasapara said. “Not just that ‘Oh I won’t get into good colleges.’ If you don’t get good enough grades, you can be sent back.”
