Stories about immigration laws, reform and other immigration related issues have been dominating headlines for years – some may even argue a significant increase in immigration coverage since 2001, post-9/11. Whether they’re talking about success stories, deportations or a new outlandish executive order from the current White House administration, I have seen at least one immigration related story in the news every week.

As a natural born American citizen, I have personally never had to worry about my own immigration or citizenship status in this country. As a first-generation immigrant, however – that is, the daughter of two Indian immigrants – I do understand, to an extent, the struggle and the worry involved in the immigration process and the pathway to citizenship.

Immigration is not only a hot topic in the news world, though; within the past few years, it’s also become a popular topic in entertainment media, what with TV shows like ABC’s “Fresh Off the Boat” adding a twist of comedy to an otherwise often somber topic, and movies like “The Namesake,” which is based on a novel by the same name, giving poignant insight into relatable immigrant identity issues.

Another, more recent movie about the Indian immigrant identity is “For Here, or To Go,” an independent film that premiered worldwide in 2015 about the struggles of navigating life as an Indian immigrant on a rapidly expiring work visa. Released officially in the U.S. on March 31, 2017, the movie includes both English and subtitled Hindi dialogue, as well as its share of Bollywood-esque stereotypes.

The film chronicles the story of Vivek Pandit (Ali Fazal), a South Indian software engineer in Silicon Valley during the 2008 recession, whose work visa (H-1B) is set to expire in less than a year. As he’s faced with the difficult decision as to whether he should attempt to stay in the U.S. and continue to live the life he’s built for himself, or return to India, where he can be closer to his family and have security in his citizenship, Pandit’s story is one that resonates not only with much of this country’s South Asian population, but also a little closer to home, with the large Indian international student population at NC State.

According to NC State’s Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity, international students compose 12.3 percent of NC State’s overall student body. Moreover, 31.2 percent of NC State’s graduate student population are international students. Although the specific breakdown of international students by country is not available, it is safe to say that there are a significant number of Indian international students studying at NC State.

Vivek Pandit’s “should I stay, or should I go” dilemma is one that is universally applicable to not only NC State’s Indian international students, but also other international students, particularly those of color. Deciding between staying in the U.S. on a work visa with the intent of becoming a permanent resident, or returning to India or other home countries is no easy decision, and is often influenced by long wait times for green card applications, as well as familial obligations and personal interests.

Despite being model minorities, South and East Asian people often have to wait for several years before their applications for an EB2 or EB3 green card is processed and approved. Moreover, that’s only if they can find a company or organization to sponsor their change from a work visa to a green card. Often times, companies don’t have the budget for or are unwilling to make the effort to sponsor an application for permanent residence, especially given the lengthy wait.

“For Here, or To Go?” has beautiful cinematography, a compelling plot with requisite romantic elements and government-related suspense and, most importantly, a story about identity and independence that is reflected in the heart of every foreign immigrant seeking to build a life in the United States.

If you’re interested in seeing the movie, there will be showings at Regal Crossroads Stadium in Cary throughout the duration of this week, until Friday.