Meta’s layoffs could be devastating to immigrants on work visas

I spent 7 years trying to get a green card in the USA. As a CANADIAN engineer. After two (non-FAANG) companies flubbed the paperwork, I gave up and moved to Asia.

Best thing that ever happened to me.

That “USA experience” I got working on large scale (millions of users a month) projects REALLY pushed me to the top of the market skills wise, even though I’d consider myself an OK web developer compared to my peers in California.

Now I’m living in Taipei, spending half of what I was spending in LA for double the life style. Got a remote contract that pays more than my previous job, and a nice tax break on top of that. I’m on track to get my Taiwanese PR next year (only takes three years).

So for anyone worrying about immigration after a layoff in the USA who has a few years xp already: you’re going to be fine. Its stressful, it’s scary, but the xp you have will still pay off in other markets. Especially with remote work.

And? They’re here to work. If there’s no work for them, they should go home. It’s in the name “work visa”. I hope many of them find other work to do.