For many Indians, America represents an ideal place where dreams come true. The “model minority myth” creates this impression that all South Asians can be rich and successful — becoming the next Satya Nadella or Sundar Pichai. The myth enforces this image of the genius “IT guy” or the successful business owner in America. This ideal image of the country is further emphasized by Hollywood movies and television shows, making people think that it’s a utopia.

“I think pretty much anything you wish for here is possible. If you work hard, you can just earn whatever you want to. You can make all of your dreams possible. And I would definitely say the standard of living is much better here compared to India,” said Aayushi.

People from Dingucha and the Patel community think the American dream is everything that they cannot do in India and the easiest route to making more money. But not everyone agrees.

“I think the American dream is a joke,” said Sriram. “The American dream is the idea that no matter whatever your circumstance, wherever you come from, whatever language, religion, or background you have the opportunity to achieve vertical mobility quickly in the United States. That is, in essence, the American dream,” said Sriram.

“There are many stories of people being successful in America. So there are plenty of desis who love to tell this story, but I think it's a myth because it blinds South Asians from realizing that America wants a certain type of immigrant and makes it difficult for other people.”

A Patel Brothers store in Chicago. It is the largest Indian-American supermarket chain in the United States with 57 locations in 19 states. (Photo courtesy: The better India)

One of the many reasons that many Indians feel a lack of opportunities is also the lack of geographical mobility which is common in the United States. People frequently relocate to different cities or even across states which is not a common practice in India.

But they forget that while living in America may sound better than life in their village, it is also full of hardship. People from these villages find it difficult to believe that there is poverty and homelessness in the country. Moreover, if they choose to come illegally, they cannot get employed with health or insurance benefits. They can only earn in cash. They might get underpaid and exploited into working long hours and they cannot do anything about it. They might end up working all the time, depending on whatever cash they can generate.

“The problem I have with the term American dream is that it assumes that the playing field is level for everyone and it is not,” Sriram said. “People come here but nobody talks about when the American dream fails.”