News for 'American citizenship'

'Jihad Jane' gets 10 years in US in terror plot

'Jihad Jane' gets 10 years in US in terror plot

Rediff.com7 Jan 2014

A United States woman, who dubbed herself "Jihad Jane", was sentenced to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to provide material support to terrorist and for her involvement in a plot to kill a Swedish artist who had offended Muslims.

Russia to recruit Syrian soldiers to fight in Ukraine: US officials

Russia to recruit Syrian soldiers to fight in Ukraine: US officials

Rediff.com7 Mar 2022

The move points to a potential escalation of fighting in Ukraine, The Wall Street Journal said citing experts.

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.

Biden sends comprehensive immigration reform bill to Congress

Biden sends comprehensive immigration reform bill to Congress

Rediff.com21 Jan 2021

Called the US Citizenship Act of 2021, the legislation modernises the immigration system, and also proposes to eliminate the per country cap for employment-based green cards, a move that would benefit thousands of Indian IT professionals whose current wait period for legal permanent residency runs into several decades.

Magnus Carlsen's Last Gambit

Magnus Carlsen's Last Gambit

Rediff.com21 Mar 2023

A title match requires months of preparation and pulling out of other events, putting together a team of seconds, etc. Carlsen just says he lacks the motivation to do this again.

Indians hold anti-CAA protests in 30 US cities

Indians hold anti-CAA protests in 30 US cities

Rediff.com27 Jan 2020

India's 71st Republic day celebrations in the United States on Sunday were marred by protests and marches, albeit peaceful ones, against recent changes in the citizenship law by large number of Indian Americans in various cities of the country.

British PM flunks 'citizenship test' on Letterman's show

British PM flunks 'citizenship test' on Letterman's show

Rediff.com27 Sep 2012

It is a test that all Indian and other non-EU citizens have to pass before becoming British citizens, but Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday night had a tough time answering some key questions on a widely watched American chat show.

'Hard to see how Hamas can be defeated'

'Hard to see how Hamas can be defeated'

Rediff.com26 Oct 2023

'The purported claim that Israel can defeat Hamas and everything 'would go back to normal' is completely absurd.'

Shree Chauhan: The woman who confronted Sean Spicer

Shree Chauhan: The woman who confronted Sean Spicer

Rediff.com27 Mar 2017

Waking up to death threats and abuse on the social media has become a regular occurrence for the Indian-American education advocate. Nikita Puri reports.

Deported journalist depicted India in negative light, govt tells HC

Deported journalist depicted India in negative light, govt tells HC

Rediff.com27 Jan 2023

The Centre told the Delhi high court on Friday that American journalist Angad Singh has been blacklisted despite being an OCI cardholder for misrepresenting facts in his application for obtaining a journalistic visa and violating certain norms.

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.

Biden admin's new immigration bill benefits thousands of Indian IT professionals

Biden admin's new immigration bill benefits thousands of Indian IT professionals

Rediff.com19 Feb 2021

In a major move that will benefit hundreds and thousands of Indian IT professionals in America, the Biden administration has introduced an ambitious immigration bill in Congress which among other things proposes to eliminate the per-country cap for employment-based green cards.

US readies plan to facilitate H-1B, L1 visa holders

US readies plan to facilitate H-1B, L1 visa holders

Rediff.com10 Feb 2023

The US is planning to resume the process of domestic visa revalidation in certain categories, like H-1B and L1 visas, on a pilot basis later this year, a move that will benefit tens of thousands of foreign tech workers, particularly from India. Until 2004, certain categories of non-immigrant visas, particularly the H-1B, could be renewed or stamped inside the US. After that, for the renewal of these visas, in particular, those on H-1B, the foreign tech workers have to go out of the country, mostly to their own country to get the H-1B extension stamped on their passport.

H-4 visa holders may get an automatic right to work in America

H-4 visa holders may get an automatic right to work in America

Rediff.com8 Apr 2022

Two US lawmakers have introduced a bill in the House of Representatives that aims at granting an automatic right to H-4 visa holders to work in the country, a move which will benefit the spouses of thousands of foreigners, including Indians, and also address the labour shortage affecting American businesses. H-4 visas are issued to dependent spouses and children who accompany H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, and H-3 visa holders to the United States. Many H-4 visa holders are highly skilled people in their own right and previously had careers of their own or worked to support their families.

CAB may weaken India's secular character: Bangladesh

CAB may weaken India's secular character: Bangladesh

Rediff.com12 Dec 2019

B'desh minister termed as "untrue" the allegations of minority repression in the country.

US commission seeks sanctions against Shah over CAB

US commission seeks sanctions against Shah over CAB

Rediff.com10 Dec 2019

In a statement issued on Monday, the US Commission for International Religious Freedom said that it was deeply troubled over the passage of the bill in Lok Sabha.

Who is George Soros? The man who criticised Narendra Modi

Who is George Soros? The man who criticised Narendra Modi

Rediff.com17 Feb 2023

George Soros, who is in the eye of the storm over his remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Adani issue, is an Hungarian-born American financier, philanthropist, and activist whose success as an investor made him one of the wealthiest men in the world. He is also known as a powerful and influential supporter of liberal social causes. In a speech at the Munich Security Conference on Thursday, the billionaire philanthropist said he believes the turmoil at Gautam Adani's business empire may weaken Prime Minister Narendra Modi's hold on the government, a statement which was strongly contested by the BJP as an attack on Indian democracy.

Japan charmed by 'new heroine' Naomi Osaka

Japan charmed by 'new heroine' Naomi Osaka

Rediff.com8 Sep 2018

Naomi Osaka is hogging the headlines for all the right reasons in her native land after she became the first Japanese player to reach a Grand Slam singles final, with one major newspaper hailing her as "a new heroine Japan can be proud of".

Trump's in-laws become US citizens using 'chain migration', which he criticises

Trump's in-laws become US citizens using 'chain migration', which he criticises

Rediff.com10 Aug 2018

CHAIN MIGRATION must end now, Trump had tweeted ion November.

What if India banned Chinese restaurants...

What if India banned Chinese restaurants...

Rediff.com11 Jul 2020

China will flood direct flights to India with wholesale takeaways of the authentic stuff; Indian businessmen will fight for the commission and the consumers for the cuisine, predicts Sunanda K Datta-Ray.

'It is my love for the people of this country'

'It is my love for the people of this country'

Rediff.com4 Feb 2022

'I can't help it if people don't love the minorities, the Dalits and Adivasis; they are as much of this country as any other Indian.' 'If I love them, it does not mean I do not love my country.' 'It is ironic and funny that they have laid such severe anti-national charges against me.'

Hate in America: Indians were never immune!

Hate in America: Indians were never immune!

Rediff.com24 Feb 2017

From citizenship rights to hate crimes and police brutality, no wave of persecution in the US has left Indians completely untouched.

US expresses concern about violence against minorities in India

US expresses concern about violence against minorities in India

Rediff.com11 Jun 2020

India previously rejected the US religious freedom report, saying it sees no locus standi for a foreign government to pronounce on the state of its citizens' constitutionally protected rights.

US woman diplomats go on 'auto-pilot' to connect with people

US woman diplomats go on 'auto-pilot' to connect with people

Rediff.com23 Nov 2022

Ann L Mason, Ruth Holmberg, Shareen J Kitterman and Jennifer Bywaters love to go around in their black and pink three-wheelers, driving themselves for all their work, including 'official trips'. These diplomats have taken to the common man's commute not just for fun, but also to set an example.

H-1B bill gives Americans first shot at tech jobs

H-1B bill gives Americans first shot at tech jobs

Rediff.com4 Apr 2007

The bill will attempt to toughen the H-1B visa program.

Will Kamala Harris spell trouble for India?

Will Kamala Harris spell trouble for India?

Rediff.com11 Nov 2020

Events in America have strengthened the hand of those leaders there who wish India well, but think of India as being a collection of Indians.
If Indians are mistreated, they will object, asserts Aakar Patel.

Kamala Harris's first thought on Biden's VP call: 'My mother'

Kamala Harris's first thought on Biden's VP call: 'My mother'

Rediff.com15 Sep 2020

Harris recounted how she and her team got a call that Biden wanted to talk and then got another call where she was told Biden wanted to do a zoom call. She described how she went in "our little makeshift office" and then when the call started Biden immediately asked her to join the ticket. After referring to her mother, Harris also described how husband Doug Emhoff's ear was on the door outside the room listening in on the call. Eventually Jill Biden and Emhoff joined the call with Biden and Harris.

US body wants India named for violating religious rights, chief dissents

US body wants India named for violating religious rights, chief dissents

Rediff.com21 Apr 2021

A US Congress-constituted quasi-judicial body on Wednesday asked the Joe Biden Administration to designate four nations, including India, as "countries of particular concern", alleging that religious freedom conditions there in 2020 continued their negative trajectory.

Abhijit Banerjee joins list of Indian Nobel Laureates

Abhijit Banerjee joins list of Indian Nobel Laureates

Rediff.com14 Oct 2019

Banerjee joins the list of Indians and people of Indian origin who have received the prestigious Nobel prize in fields like Physics, Chemistry, Peace, Economic Sciences and Medicine.

When Olonga 'bounced Tendulkar out' in Sharjah...

When Olonga 'bounced Tendulkar out' in Sharjah...

Rediff.com2 Nov 2022

Olonga wasn't a cricketing great, not even Zimbabwe's best during the golden era of the country's cricket, but the beaded hair, a slinging action and a mean bouncer to get Sachin Tendulkar out on a lifeless Sharjah track made him a household name in India.

Biden reimposes ban on flyers from Europe, adds South Africa to list

Biden reimposes ban on flyers from Europe, adds South Africa to list

Rediff.com26 Jan 2021

The State Department said US citizens should reconsider non-essential travel abroad. Those that must travel abroad following the implementation of this order should carefully consider the strict implementation of the travel restrictions.

Kamala Harris wears Suffragette White to deliver victory speech

Kamala Harris wears Suffragette White to deliver victory speech

Rediff.com8 Nov 2020

She entered the stage to the song "Work That" by Mary J Blige, wearing the all-white suit and donning a black mask. She has broken many glass barriers by becoming the first woman and Indian-American to be elected as the US vice president.

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.

Return Of 'Committed Judiciary' Or Judicial Over-Reach?

Return Of 'Committed Judiciary' Or Judicial Over-Reach?

Rediff.com23 Jan 2023

Vice President Dhankar's and Law Minister Rijuju's recent interventions have the danger of destabilising the Constitutional equilibrium, cautions N Sathiya Moorthy.

Mandatory minimum pay hike for H-1B workers to be delayed

Mandatory minimum pay hike for H-1B workers to be delayed

Rediff.com12 Mar 2021

The Biden administration on Friday issued a formal notification to delay the implementation of the previous Trump regime's controversial rule to raise mandatory minimum pay for foreign workers on H-1B visa, the most sought after among Indian IT professionals. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China. The Department of Labour in its federal notification published on Friday said that it is considering whether to propose a further delay of the final rule's effective date and accompanying implementation periods that are currently scheduled to take effect on May 14, 2021, and July 1, 2021, respectively.

Modi ensuring every citizen's is evacuated safely from Afghanistan: MoS defence

Modi ensuring every citizen's is evacuated safely from Afghanistan: MoS defence

Rediff.com25 Aug 2021

"Not only this, but we also helped the citizens of our neighbouring countries to return to their country when the COVID-19 pandemic had struck, irrespective of caste, religion, class, area etc," said minister of state for defence Ajay Bhatt.

Will raise human rights: US envoy-designate to India

Will raise human rights: US envoy-designate to India

Rediff.com15 Dec 2021

"Few nations are more vital to the future of American security and prosperity than India," Garcetti told the committee.

US allows some H-1B visa seekers to re-submit their applications

US allows some H-1B visa seekers to re-submit their applications

Rediff.com24 Jun 2021

Some foreign guest workers in the US will be able to re-submit their applications for the H1-B visa, the most sought-after non-immigrant visa among Indian IT professionals, if their petition was solely rejected because it was based on the initial registration period, according to a federal agency. According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), such re-submission of applications is for those whose applications have been rejected or administratively closed solely because the requested start date was after October 1, 2020. The H-1B visa allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.

What Trump said on CAA, Delhi violence, Pak, Kashmir

What Trump said on CAA, Delhi violence, Pak, Kashmir

Rediff.com26 Feb 2020

Addressing a press conference, Trump described Modi as a "terrific" leader and India as a "tremendous country".

Judges Must Stand Up For Citizens Against A Malign State

Judges Must Stand Up For Citizens Against A Malign State

Rediff.com1 Jul 2022

If the government and the political party controlling it want to destroy the homes of people without trial or conviction, where do those people go?, asks Aakar Patel.