Barriers grow for international students seeking U.S. jobs: The 'American dream ... is collapsing'

Sakshi Patel has known since she was little that she wanted to study in the U.S. She says she pictured herself landing a job in New York City, the financial capital of the world, and living out her version of the American dream far from home.

Patel, who earned her master's degree in financial management from Boston University in May 2025, says she has about two months left on her current work authorization and is job hunting full force. If she doesn't get a job within that time, she'll have to move back to her native India.