Laid off days after H-1B approval, STEM OPT techie seeks help; ‘difficult position’, internet empathises

Under President Donald Trump’s administration, visa policies saw significant tightening, especially impacting F1, B1/B2, and H-1B visa holders. Against this backdrop, a recent social media post has drawn attention to the struggles of international students trying to navigate the complex U.S. immigration system. The post came from a final-year F1 STEM OPT holder who was laid off in May 2025 but had their H-1B visa selected in this year’s lottery — their last chance to secure the highly competitive visa. Despite the lottery success, the individual’s employer refused to support or file the H-1B petition, leaving them in a precarious legal status and unsure how to proceed.