Devotees’ Experiences
Sri. Ankur Gupta
The famous "four score and seven years" of the Gettysburg Address takes on a weary new meaning for legal immigrants: "Seven score and counting." For those caught in the decade-long backlog, a Green Card can feel like a mirage—a prize that might only reach one's great-great-grandchildren.
In this world of PERM, I-140s, and Priority Dates, life is measured by the movement of the Visa Bulletin. Even a single day’s progress is a reason to breathe. My family and I were trapped in this cycle until, by sheer grace, we visited the Sri Aishwarya Srinivasa Perumal temple in Pearland. Looking upon the magnificence of Lord Srinivasa, it was love at first sight. We poured our hearts out, praying for the resolution of our residency.
The divine response was swift and subtle. Just a week later, I felt moved to call a college friend I hadn't spoken to in years. As it turned out, he was in the exact same stage of the process but had successfully navigated the EAD approval. He shared specific, actionable guidance on how to expedite my case, which I followed to the letter.
Three months after that prayer, on September 1, 2022, I checked the USCIS portal as part of my morning routine. The screen finally changed: “New Card is being produced.”
The timing was nothing short of miraculous. On September 6th—just five days later—the dates retrogressed by three years. Had Bhagavan not intervened when He did, our hopes would have been crushed for years to come. What was supposed to be a "never-ending" wait was resolved in a matter of months by Sri Aishwarya Srinivasa’s immense grace.
I can boldly say that any prayer offered with faith at this temple will be fulfilled. Our infinite gratitude goes to the Lord for lifting the mountain of uncertainty off our shoulders and replacing it with the peace of a permanent home.
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