Here’s why: the immigration laws in America have not been updated significantly in over four decades. The chance of getting picked in the H-1B lottery was less than 10% in 2023. And, there are over a million immigrant workers waiting in a green card backlog today.
Yet, despite these constraints, immigrants have done extraordinary things. With Unshackled, we aim to lower the barrier so you can too.
Unshackled will give you a friendly map of the legal immigration system as it exists today in the United States. Whether you want to start companies, obtain a talent visa like the O-1 and EB-1, or decide that this country is not a fit, the book will be your trusted companion. Through vivid stories and personal accounts, the book also unearths the raw emotions of frustration, loneliness, and self-doubt that underscore every immigrant's journey to remind you that you're not alone. With beautiful illustrations and infographics, Unshackled is as much a treat to your eyes, as it is to your mind. Go on and take a look inside!
When you purchase Unshackled, you get access to the following:
- Guidance to navigate 11 visa pathways, including the O-1, EB-1A, EB-1B, L-1, H-1B, F-1 OPT, and more. We’ve shared insights from some of the best lawyers out there, written in simple, engaging language.
- Stories of 11 high-skilled immigrants, each of whom had walked an unconventional path and remind you that you’re not alone. Expect to tear up at some point!
- Access to free resources on top of the book, including a Notion tracker to build your O-1 or EB-1 profiles, short videos answering top questions around EB-1A, a list of VC funds that support immigrant founders, and more.
- Free invites to all future webinars and events conducted within the Unshackled online community!
We spent over 2000 hours creating Unshackled. Get it within a few seconds now and begin taking control of your future as an immigrant in the United States!
Soundarya Balasubramani is an author, entrepreneur, and community builder whose work has reached 50 million people online in the past year. Her books—including Admitted, Unshackled, and her upcoming novel 1000 Days of Love—span genres from practical guides to contemporary fiction. Beyond writing, she has built one of the largest communities for high-skilled immigrants in America (unshackled.club). She is a graduate from Columbia University, where she received the Outstanding Student Service Award, and a gold medalist from NIT Trichy, India. Her blog is at curiousmaverick.com.
Sameer Khedekar is a nationally ranked immigration lawyer and the Founder and Managing Partner of Banyan, a global immigration law firm. He has 20+ years of experience in immigration law and has helped everyone from Fortune 500 companies to solo founders. He is one of a handful of lawyers to be certified as an immigration expert by the State Bar of California. His parents brought him to the US as a baby, and he has since made it his life's mission to empower high-skilled immigrants as they navigate the immigration process.