Laid-off workers on H-1B visas in the United States are facing significant challenges as they attempt to switch to B-2 tourist visas to extend their stay. The recent layoffs by major tech companies such as Amazon, Oracle, Cognizant, and Meta have left thousands of employees, particularly from India, in a precarious situation. Under current regulations, these workers have a 60-day grace period to find new employment or must return to their home countries. However, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has become increasingly stringent, leading to a rise in requests for additional documentation and visa denials. Immigration attorney Rajiv Khanna noted that the volume of RFEs and Notices of Intent to Deny has surged, with reports indicating a tenfold increase in such cases. Many affected individuals, who have been in the US for years and have established families, are now considering relocating to countries like Canada or Europe as they feel abandoned by the current immigration policies. The situation is further complicated by recent policy changes, including a $100,000 fee for new H-1B petitions, making it more difficult for these workers to secure their future in the US.