News for '-homeland-security'

'Won't hesitate to...': FBI's warning to Hamas

'Won't hesitate to...': FBI's warning to Hamas

Rediff.com10 Oct 2023

The FBI said that its Legal Attache' office in Israel was actively working with partners on the ground to locate and identify US citizens afftected by the terror attacks.

US to return to India 15 smuggled sculptures by jailed dealer Subhash Kapoor

US to return to India 15 smuggled sculptures by jailed dealer Subhash Kapoor

Rediff.com1 Apr 2023

In a statement Thursday, the Met said it will transfer the 15 sculptures for return to the government of India. The works range in date from the 1st century BCE to the 11th century CE, and include terracotta, copper and stone.

US returns 307 antiquities worth $4m stolen, trafficked from India

US returns 307 antiquities worth $4m stolen, trafficked from India

Rediff.com19 Oct 2022

A globe spanning, 15-year investigation has led to the repatriation of 307 antiquities by the United States that were stolen and trafficked from India and valued at nearly four million dollars, the majority seized from disgraced art dealer Subhash Kapoor.

70 feared dead as tornadoes hit Kentucky, Biden declares emergency

70 feared dead as tornadoes hit Kentucky, Biden declares emergency

Rediff.com12 Dec 2021

At least five states were hit by unseasonably powerful storms and tornadoes on Friday night, including Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee.

Iranians be careful, we're sending fighter jets to Israel: Biden

Iranians be careful, we're sending fighter jets to Israel: Biden

Rediff.com12 Oct 2023

The United States continues to monitor the situation in Israel very closely, President Joe Biden said Wednesday observing that the terrorist attack by Hamas has brought back painful memories of a millennia of antisemitism and genocide against the Jewish people.

Ahead of election, Trump imposes new curbs on H-1B visas

Ahead of election, Trump imposes new curbs on H-1B visas

Rediff.com7 Oct 2020

The Trump administration has announced new restrictions on H-1B non-immigrant visa programme which it said is aimed at protecting American workers, restoring integrity and to better guarantee that H-1B petitions are approved only for qualified beneficiaries and petitioners, a move which is likely to affect thousands of Indian IT professionals.

Now, Khalistanis attack Indian consulate in San Francisco, place flags

Now, Khalistanis attack Indian consulate in San Francisco, place flags

Rediff.com20 Mar 2023

A group of pro-Khalistani protesters on Sunday attacked and damaged the Indian consulate in San Francisco, prompting sharp condemnation from Indian-Americans who demanded immediate action against those responsible for it.

US Supreme Court rules against Indian citizen in deportation case

US Supreme Court rules against Indian citizen in deportation case

Rediff.com17 May 2022

The US Supreme Court has ruled against an Indian citizen who has spent decades in the US and faces deportation after checking the wrong box on a driver's licence application.

Wait, your US visa could be coming from China!

Wait, your US visa could be coming from China!

Rediff.com31 Mar 2023

Due to the huge pile-up of visa applications, the US consular officers in the neighbouring country are now adjudicating Indian visa applications where interview requirements have been waived.

Grace period for retrenched H1-B workers to be extended to 180 days

Grace period for retrenched H1-B workers to be extended to 180 days

Rediff.com15 Mar 2023

A presidential advisory sub-committee has recommended the federal government to extend the grace period for H1-B workers, who have lost their jobs, from the existing 60 days to 180 days so that the workers have enough opportunities to find a new job or other alternatives. "The immigration subcommittee recommends the Department of Homeland Security and the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to extend the grace period for H1-B workers, who have lost their jobs, from 60 days to 180 days," Ajay Jain Bhutoria, member of the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, said on Tuesday. In his presentation, Bhutoria highlighted the significant challenges faced by H1-B workers laid off from their jobs.

Trump fires official who said election was most secure in US history

Trump fires official who said election was most secure in US history

Rediff.com18 Nov 2020

Trump, who has launched a slew of lawsuits in key states, but has not provided any evidence to back his claims of fraud, announced on Twitter on Tuesday that he has fired Christopher Krebs, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) at the Department of Homeland Security.

H-1B, L-1 visa fees to be hiked massively

H-1B, L-1 visa fees to be hiked massively

Rediff.com5 Jan 2023

The Biden administration has proposed a massive hike in immigration fees, including the much sought-after H-1B visas for high-skilled foreign workers, which is very popular among Indian tech professionals. Under the proposed rule, published by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Wednesday, the application for the H-1B visa increases from $460 to $780, and L-1 from $460 to $1,385. The application fee for O-1 visas has been proposed to increase from $460 to $1,055.

Wrong to assume that sacked H-1B staffers have to leave America within 60 days: USCIS

Wrong to assume that sacked H-1B staffers have to leave America within 60 days: USCIS

Rediff.com28 Mar 2023

Amid mass layoffs in the tech sector, the federal agency for immigration services has said it is wrong to assume that sacked workers holding the much-sought-after H-1B visas have to leave the country within 60 days, asserting they have multiple options to stay in the US. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.

How Subhash Kapoor was caught: A Timeline

How Subhash Kapoor was caught: A Timeline

Rediff.com14 Oct 2015

The art dealer flees India, but is detained at Frankfurt airport.

Big relief for Indian IT as Biden administration removes H-1B visa curbs

Big relief for Indian IT as Biden administration removes H-1B visa curbs

Rediff.com20 May 2021

The US government has removed a regulation proposed by former president Donald Trump's administration that sought to narrow the definition of "specialty occupation" under the H-1B visa regime. The change comes as a relief for Indian information technology firms, which are among the largest users of such visas. "The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has formally vacated a regulation that would have redefined the H-1B specialty occupation, restricted off site placement of H-1B employees, and otherwise increased employer compliance obligations. "The vacatur follows a federal court ruling that set aside the regulation because the agency did not have good cause to bypass notice and comment rulemaking, in violation of the Administrative Procedures Act," explained immigration law firm Fragomen.

India, US ask Pakistan to act decisively against terror

India, US ask Pakistan to act decisively against terror

Rediff.com12 Apr 2022

The demand for action by Pakistan was made through a joint statement issued after the 2+2 ministerial attended by the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

Biden announces national security team

Biden announces national security team

Rediff.com24 Nov 2020

The President-elect also announced the nomination of former Secretary of State John Kerry as Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, the first such official to sit on the national security council.

Cost of Trump order on H-1B, L1 visas to US? $100 bn

Cost of Trump order on H-1B, L1 visas to US? $100 bn

Rediff.com23 Oct 2020

President Donald Trump's executive order restricting entry of skilled foreign workers into the US, mainly on H-1B and L1 visas, has resulted in an estimated loss of $100 billion to companies in the US, a top American think-tank claimed. The executive order signed by Trump on June 22, that had temporarily banned issuing fresh H-1B and L-1 visas till December 31, caused a negative impact to the valuation of Fortune 500 firms equivalent to over $100 billion in losses, Brookings Institute said in a report released this week.

US makes it easier for H-1B spouses to take up employment

US makes it easier for H-1B spouses to take up employment

Rediff.com12 Nov 2021

In yet another immigration-friendly move that would benefit thousands of Indian-American women, the Biden administration has agreed to provide automatic work authorisation permits to the spouses of H-1B visa holders, most of whom are Indian IT professionals.

'Indian call centres stole $300 million from Americans'

'Indian call centres stole $300 million from Americans'

Rediff.com28 Oct 2016

The five Ahmedabad-based call centres that made calls to people living in the US are Hglobal, Call Mantra, Worldwide Solution, Zoriion Communications and Sharma BPO Services.

Shinde holds crucial talks with US leaders

Shinde holds crucial talks with US leaders

Rediff.com23 May 2013

Union Home Minister Shri Sushil Kumar Shinde continued with his official visit in the United States, meeting senior US government leaders including Secretary for Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, Attorney General Eric Holder and FBI Director Robert Muller.

PIO Muslim scientist detained in US, forced to unlock phone

PIO Muslim scientist detained in US, forced to unlock phone

Rediff.com14 Feb 2017

Bikkannavar is a US citizen and is working with NASA for 10 years. In addition, he has never visited the countries on the immigration ban.

Trump issues emergency declaration for for Biden inauguration

Trump issues emergency declaration for for Biden inauguration

Rediff.com12 Jan 2021

The emergency in Washington DC will be effective from Monday till January 24.

Tulsi Gabbard part of key US Congressional committees

Tulsi Gabbard part of key US Congressional committees

Rediff.com7 Jan 2013

Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu to become a member of the United States House of Representatives, has been named to two key Congressional committees through which she would play an important role in the country's foreign policy and homeland security. Gabbard, 31, who represents Hawaii's second Congressional District, has been named as a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Homeland Security Committee

Soldiers' rights more important than those of terrorists: MoS

Soldiers' rights more important than those of terrorists: MoS

Rediff.com23 Aug 2019

Singh said the nation and the society as a whole are gradually getting conditioned to look at things in the eye instead of getting confused by duplicities.

US revokes citizenship of Indian native

US revokes citizenship of Indian native

Rediff.com10 Jan 2018

Singh, a native of India, arrived at San Francisco International Airport on September 25, 1991, without any travel documents or proof of identity.

Sunlight, heat and humidity weakens coronavirus: US

Sunlight, heat and humidity weakens coronavirus: US

Rediff.com24 Apr 2020

Sunlight, high temperature of more than 95 degrees Fahrenheit (or 35 degrees Celsius), and humidity cuts the half-life of the virus on surfaces from up to 18 hours to a matter of minutes,the study said.

Desi cop arrested in California for drug trafficking

Desi cop arrested in California for drug trafficking

Rediff.com16 Apr 2015

Police officer Harminder Phagura is busted for aiding a 'friend' in carrying out cocaine deals.

Mahatma Gandhi statue vandalised in US; India demands action

Mahatma Gandhi statue vandalised in US; India demands action

Rediff.com30 Jan 2021

The statue of Gandhi, which was donated by the Indian government to the city of Davis, was installed by the city council four years ago amidst protests from anti-Gandhi and anti-India organisations.

Trump replaces Chief of Staff Priebus, appoints John Kelly

Trump replaces Chief of Staff Priebus, appoints John Kelly

Rediff.com29 Jul 2017

The latest shakeup of the White House leadership comes as the feud between Priebus and the new Communication Director Anthony Scaramucci went nasty over the past few days, hogging the media limelight.

US-India set to discuss counter-terrorism

US-India set to discuss counter-terrorism

Rediff.com25 May 2011

United States Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday on an official visit during which she will jointly launch the US-India Homeland Security dialogue with her Indian counterpart P Chidambaram.

US House votes to block funding for Obama immigration orders

US House votes to block funding for Obama immigration orders

Rediff.com15 Jan 2015

The measures passed 236-191 votes immediately drew sharp reaction from the White House.

US grants visa to Iran president to attend UN meet

US grants visa to Iran president to attend UN meet

Rediff.com8 Sep 2005

The state department granted visa to the newly-elected President, overruling concerns by the department of homeland security, which suspects that Ahmadinejad participated in the hostage taking at the US embassy in Iran in 1979.

India, US eyeing to ink 5 pacts during Trump's visit

India, US eyeing to ink 5 pacts during Trump's visit

Rediff.com21 Feb 2020

Ahead of his India visit on February 24-25, Trump said that India has not treated his country 'very well' on the trade front and indicated that a 'very big' bilateral deal with New Delhi may not be signed before the American presidential election in November.

US has put Al Qaeda on path to defeat: Obama

US has put Al Qaeda on path to defeat: Obama

Rediff.com10 Sep 2011

On the eve of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, President Barack Obama on Saturday said the United States has stayed strong in the face of threat in the "difficult" decade since the horrific strikes and has stepped up homeland security and put Al Qaeda on the path to defeat.

'LeT is like Al Qaeda. It can be a threat to US'

'LeT is like Al Qaeda. It can be a threat to US'

Rediff.com3 Jun 2011

United States Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, who recently co-chaired the first-ever US-India Homeland Security Dialogue with Home Minister P Chidambaram during a week-long visit to India, dodged a question about whether the US would have any qualms if India undertook an operation similar to the US raid in Abbottabad.

US to exempt foreign athletes from coronavirus-related entry bans

US to exempt foreign athletes from coronavirus-related entry bans

Rediff.com23 May 2020

Besides the athletes, the exemption applies to the sporting leagues' essential staff, spouses and dependents, the statement said.

Israel to help West Bengal tackle Maoists

Israel to help West Bengal tackle Maoists

Rediff.com12 Apr 2010

Israel will discuss the issue of homeland security with West Bengal which is reeling under the brunt of Maoist extremism.

Harvard, MIT sue Trump administration over student visa row

Harvard, MIT sue Trump administration over student visa row

Rediff.com9 Jul 2020

The Trump administration announced those F-1 and M-1 (non-academic and vocational students) visa holders planning to take online classes only will not be allowed to remain in the United State.