Indian-origin entrepreneur Vijay Thirumalai sparked heated discussions online after he reacted to the death of 30-year-old Indian citizen Sasikanth Reddy Donthireddy in the United States.On the X show, Tirumalai paid tribute to Reddy, who reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest on February 16, 2026. In a post that quickly attracted attention, he outlined Reddy’s journey: arriving in the United States in 2018 on an F-1 student visa, completing dual master’s degrees to remain “valid on the visa,” repeatedly applying for an H-1B visa, and spending nearly eight years away from his family.Tirumalai used the tragedy to highlight what he saw as systemic barriers to immigration and to issue a blunt appeal to Indian parents. He wrote: “Parents, if you cannot purchase a GC for your child through EB5, please do not send your child to the United States, it is not worth the trouble.”He criticized the temporary visa route, calling the F-1 route “too restrictive” and calling the H1B lottery a “1/3 ratio.” He believes that even for those who eventually obtain the H1B-EB2/EB3 route, a green card is still “100 years away.”If a family cannot afford an EB5 investment visa, then he recommends avoiding financial strain. “Don’t mortgage your home, savings, or take out loans to fund undergrad or graduate school,” he wrote, calling it “not worth it.” Instead, the entrepreneur suggested using the money to start a business in India, which he claimed would make children and families “happier” in the long run. The EB-5 visa provides permanent residency to qualified investors who invest $800,000 in projects in designated targeted employment areas. In contrast, the F-1 visa Reddy holds is a non-immigrant student visa that allows full-time study at an accredited U.S. institution and provides limited employment opportunities such as Optional Practical Training (OPT).Thirumalai is the founder and CEO of Goldwater Global, a platform that claims to help Indians expand their lives and businesses overseas. His post highlighted the tragic life events of many Indian nationals who overwork themselves to meet visa requirements while neglecting their mental and social health. A fundraiser aimed at bringing Reddy’s body back to India has shed further light on his struggles. “Repeated disappointments and visa uncertainty have caused him significant stress, particularly over the past few months,” the appeal states.The statement also said that he continued to work long hours “without giving up” and participated in the H1B lottery “multiple times” without success. According to reports, Reddy complained of chest pain in the early hours of February 16. “He was rushed to hospital but could not be saved,” the appeal states.With support from the community, the fundraiser surpassed its goal of $50,307, easing the financial burden on his parents and potentially helping them bring his body home for final rites.
