Our clients are amazing people. At the Ranchod Law Group, we have the opportunity to work with a diverse set of people with a diverse set of goals, and we are thrilled to see so many of our clients, a wide range of professionals and doctors, thriving in their communities.
Immigration is not an easy journey. We talk about the actual process quite a bit, including how long it can take for people to work their way through the American immigration system. But, there is so much more to immigrating than the process of filling out forms and waiting on decisions. Moving to a new country can represent one of the biggest challenges faced by those who are making this journey. They are not just moving to a new country, they are building new lives. Sometimes this life is from the ground up and completely from scratch. Sometimes, there is the support of family, friends, peers, and others.
Part of the greater journey is finding a new place to call home, establishing a productive life and career, and all the nuances that are a part of that. There are the tedious details, from opening a bank account to obtaining a driver’s license. Seemingly simple tasks aren’t always easy with cultural or language barriers. Then there are the more challenging aspects of living in a new place such as making friends. You have to put yourself out there, allow your vulnerabilities to show through, and take a few risks. Part of what makes our clients so amazing is their willingness to step out of their comfort zones. They overcome adversity, establish themselves in and around their communities, they put themselves out there, and they earn the respect of their neighbors.
Another big challenge of immigrating is leaving behind your home, moving hundreds or thousands of miles away from family, friends, and the life you know. Many who make the journey face the internal struggle of what to do next. Initially, that struggle might not be as difficult (before you have established yourself either in education or employment). The internal conflict often comes later, when people become more acclimated to life in the U.S. and have made friends and perhaps even feel a sense of belonging. It can be difficult to make life-changing decisions when you are concerned about leaving family or friends behind.
Unexpected things can happen. For example, many people come to the U.S. to focus on their higher education. This is their singular goal. They work hard to obtain their degree or degrees, then return home to put their education to work. What they don’t always consider are the unexpected variables. We go to school, meet new people, and every once in a while, make a connection with life-changing consequences: We fall in love.
After moving from Bombay, India and attending university in the U.S., my wife met me and built a new life. We put down roots and had a son. My wife formed a new circle of friends and has accomplished so much. Part of what makes it easier to stay in touch with her friends and family are the conveniences of modern technology. We also make trips to see them all. She may have a home in the U.S., but she also has family and friends in India. No matter where we choose to live and work, we can stay connected to our loved ones.
– Kaushik Ranchod, Managing Attorney, Ranchod Law