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For Asian & Pacific Islander Month, employee Arun Aravind shares his story.
This article is about:
A Richmond employee and his family have spent years working toward permanent residency in the U.S. Read more about the challenges and opportunities that come with being part of two distinct cultures.My name is Arun Aravind. I grew up in a large city, Chennai, India. My favorite memories growing up were playing cricket with my friends, cycling to school, and chatting with neighborhood kids on hot summer nights when there were power cuts and everyone would sit outside, hoping for an elusive breeze. I also fondly remember walking through my grandfather’s coffee plantations.
Today, my parents and extended family still live in India, but I live in Richmond, VA with my wife and daughter.
I am an Energy Market Analyst. I have many responsibilities, including analyzing the energy commodity prices and researching energy market-related issues for internal partners. I really enjoy being part of research on the hottest new issues impacting not only our company, but the whole industry. You may recall the power outages in Texas; it’s my job to help figure out how that happens and what the probability is of it happening here.
It might seem like I’m just a regular employee and Richmond resident, but my wife and I are seeking a green card for permanent residency. The process was supposed to take about 5 years, but it has already taken a decade. I currently have a work visa, but it comes with many hurdles. The immigration process isn’t the same for everyone, and the process is complicated. Improving and streamlining the immigration process doesn’t seem to be a priority for lawmakers. Most people don’t realize how many families are affected. Like our friends and neighbors, we are seeking better opportunities for our families and careers.
The main challenge in establishing a home and roots here without a green card is the fact that I always need to be ready to leave the country on short notice until I get the permanent residency. Every vacation outside of the U.S. might mean I’m not able to come back due to visa paperwork issues. I feel fortunate that I was able to get a job with Dominion Energy, despite these uncertainties, and that the company is supportive and understanding of the complicated processes involved.
One way I’ve been able to put down roots in the community and at work is through our Employee Resource Group for Asian & Pacific Islanders. We have weekly events to stay connected to each other and enjoy the diversity of perspectives, which change with each generation. Like many of the employees in the group, my daughter is also a second generation immigrant, so it helps me to better understand her. Understanding and appreciating each other’s viewpoints is so important—now, more than ever. We love living here despite the challenges; the local community has been very welcoming and helped us make Virginia our home.
One tradition we’ve become a part of is celebrating is the Onam Festival with our local friends and neighbors. Many families gather to prepare anywhere from 25 different curries and dishes to share! Thanks to traditions like these, shopping at local ethnic grocery shops, and being able to watch cricket matches, it’s significantly easier to keep my connections with my family and Indian heritage strong even as I grow more connections here.
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