News for 'Department of Immigration'

Gujarat CID grills 20 'dunki' flight passengers sent back by France

Gujarat CID grills 20 'dunki' flight passengers sent back by France

Rediff.com30 Dec 2023

According to a senior state Crime Investigation Department official, those passengers included at least 60 from Gujarat, who have already reached their respective native places in the state.

US screening immigrants' social media profiles at entry points

US screening immigrants' social media profiles at entry points

Rediff.com30 Jan 2017

The US authorities are checking people's social media accounts for their political views before allowing them into the country after the recent travel ban imposed by President Donald Trump on people from seven predominantly Muslim nations, a media report said.

Canadian govt dumps immigration rule against Singh

Canadian govt dumps immigration rule against Singh

Rediff.com27 Jul 2007

On July 25, Ottawa said they are reversing their 10-year old policy and in future there won't be any objection to Singh and Kaur as last names, despite the fact these are too common names.

Israel sends new Ambassador to India

Israel sends new Ambassador to India

Rediff.com18 Dec 2023

The Israeli government on Sunday approved the appointment of Reuven Azar as the new Ambassador to India.

Plot to kill Pannun: SC asks Gupta to move Czech court

Plot to kill Pannun: SC asks Gupta to move Czech court

Rediff.com15 Dec 2023

The Supreme Court on Friday deferred the hearing for January 4 2024, of the habeas corpus petition filed on behalf of Nikhil Gupta, accused by the United States of conspiring to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a India designated terrorist, against his arrest and ongoing extradition proceedings in the Czech Republic.

Good news for those in US on business or tourist visa

Good news for those in US on business or tourist visa

Rediff.com23 Mar 2023

The US has announced that individuals travelling to the country on a business or tourist visa - B-1 and B-2 - can apply for new jobs and even appear in interviews, but the prospective employees must ensure that they have changed their visa status before starting a new role. B-1 and B-2 visas are generally referred to as "B visas", and they are the most common types of visa issued for a wide range of uses in the United States. The B-1 visa is issued mainly for short-term business trips, while the B-2 visa is issued mainly travelling for tourism purposes.

We support Canada's probe, want India to join: US special envoy

We support Canada's probe, want India to join: US special envoy

Rediff.com7 Oct 2023

Amid the diplomatic sparring and souring of bilateral ties in the wake of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegation of Indian involvement in the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Special Envoy and Coordinator, Global Engagement Centre, James Rubin said the standoff was a 'tricky subject' as he sought cooperation into the investigation as far as it goes.

Bikini Killer Charles Sobhraj deported to France

Bikini Killer Charles Sobhraj deported to France

Rediff.com24 Dec 2022

His release from the central prison on Thursday was delayed by a day as the Department of Immigration, where Sobhraj was to be sent for deportation, did not have a separate room ready for him.

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.

This is NOT a Muslim ban: Trump defends immigration order

This is NOT a Muslim ban: Trump defends immigration order

Rediff.com30 Jan 2017

Defending his controversial executive order on banning people from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering America, United States President Donald Trump has insisted that it is "not a Muslim ban" as is "falsely" reported by the media.

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.

Retd Army officer who led ops in Myanmar to handle Manipur violence

Retd Army officer who led ops in Myanmar to handle Manipur violence

Rediff.com4 Sep 2023

The appointment of Col (retired) Nectar Sanjenbam for five years followed Union Home Minister Amit Shah statement last month that Kuki people started entering Manipur from Myanmar illegally following a military crackdown on militants.

10 Indian-Americans win state, local polls in US

10 Indian-Americans win state, local polls in US

Rediff.com9 Nov 2023

At least 10 Indian-Americans, almost all of them Democrats, have won local and state level elections held in several parts of the country, reflecting the growing political empowerment of the ethnic community that constitutes a little over one percent of the United States' population.

New York City Immigrant Affairs chief: I was in tears

New York City Immigrant Affairs chief: I was in tears

Rediff.com13 Feb 2017

Nisha Agarwal, commissioner of the New York Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, recalls, with both anguish and elation, the events of the last fortnight after the US President's order banning entry for people from seven countries was put in place.

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.

718 Myanmarese entered Manipur illegally last week: Home dept

718 Myanmarese entered Manipur illegally last week: Home dept

Rediff.com25 Jul 2023

A statement issued by Home Department said that the illegal influx was reported on July 22 and 23 in Chandel district by Assam Rifles, the India-Myanmar border guarding force.

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.

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.

Amritpal said to be hiding in Nepal, India seeks help

Amritpal said to be hiding in Nepal, India seeks help

Rediff.com27 Mar 2023

The Indian embassy in Kathmandu has requested the government agencies to arrest Singh if he tries to flee from Nepal, the Kathmandu Post newspaper reported.

Canada welcomes India's decision to resume some visa services

Canada welcomes India's decision to resume some visa services

Rediff.com26 Oct 2023

India's high commission in Canada said on Wednesday that the country's officials will resume processing some types of visa applications for Canadians applying from across the country as well as abroad.

What Angelina Jolie thinks of Trump's immigration ban

What Angelina Jolie thinks of Trump's immigration ban

Rediff.com3 Feb 2017

Hollywood icon Angelina Jolie has slammed President Donald Trump's controversial immigration ban on seven Muslim-majority countries, saying that shutting the door on refugees or discriminating among them will not make America safer.

Does India Need A Population Policy?

Does India Need A Population Policy?

Rediff.com13 Feb 2024

Experts recommend awaiting the findings of the 2021 Census, which is yet to be conducted, before introducing population control policies.

New immigration order next week to address concerns of court: Trump

New immigration order next week to address concerns of court: Trump

Rediff.com17 Feb 2017

"We've vetting very, very strongly. Very, very strongly. But we need help, and we need help by getting that executive order passed," he said.

Bill to reform H-1B, L-1 visa programme introduced in US Senate

Bill to reform H-1B, L-1 visa programme introduced in US Senate

Rediff.com29 Mar 2023

A group of influential lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan legislation in the US Senate to comprehensively overhaul the H-1B and L-1 visa programmes and usher in more transparency in the recruitment of foreign workers. 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.

Another Kashmiri journalist stopped from flying abroad

Another Kashmiri journalist stopped from flying abroad

Rediff.com27 Jul 2022

Immigration authorities at the airport in New Delhi stopped yet another Kashmiri journalist from travelling abroad, citing restrictions imposed by the Jammu and Kashmir police, officials said on Wednesday.

Why Are Sri Lankans Queuing For Passports?

Why Are Sri Lankans Queuing For Passports?

Rediff.com20 Jul 2022

Sri Lankans queued up to apply for fresh passports outside the department of immigration and emigration office in Colombo.

PMC Bank scam key accused nabbed in Bihar while trying to flee India

PMC Bank scam key accused nabbed in Bihar while trying to flee India

Rediff.com3 Feb 2022

A key accused in the infamous PMC bank scam of Maharashtra was caught in Bihar while trying to sneak into Nepal, an immigration official said here on Thursday.

Seema case fallout: Hindu areas attacked with rocket launchers in Pak

Seema case fallout: Hindu areas attacked with rocket launchers in Pak

Rediff.com16 Jul 2023

The assailants fired indiscriminately at the temple built by the local Hindu community on Sunday, prompting a police unit led by Kashmore-Kandhkot SSP Irfan Sammo to reach the scene.

Fearing father's layoff, Indian schoolgirl goes missing in US

Fearing father's layoff, Indian schoolgirl goes missing in US

Rediff.com10 Feb 2023

Tanvi Marupally from Conway, Arkansas was last seen in her neighbourhood on January 17 when she left for school on the bus, the Conway police department said.

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.

At luncheon, Modi lauds Harris for strengthening Indo-US strategic ties

At luncheon, Modi lauds Harris for strengthening Indo-US strategic ties

Rediff.com24 Jun 2023

India and the US are working with renewed trust in areas of new and emerging technologies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday as he thanked the American leadership for giving him a grand welcome.

How Zeenat Aman Became A Star

How Zeenat Aman Became A Star

Rediff.com26 Apr 2023

'When entering an industry like Bollywood, every actor hopes for a starmaker... My starmaker was Dev saab.'

Waiting in passport queue for 2 days, Lankan woman gives birth

Waiting in passport queue for 2 days, Lankan woman gives birth

Rediff.com7 Jul 2022

A pregnant Sri Lankan woman, who had been in a queue for two days to obtain a passport to leave the crisis-hit country for employment overseas, went into labour while waiting for her turn on Thursday and delivered a baby girl.

Biden proposes over $25 bn spend in Indo-Pacific to out-compete China

Biden proposes over $25 bn spend in Indo-Pacific to out-compete China

Rediff.com10 Mar 2023

This includes over $15 billion of proposed investment in the infrastructure sector in the Indo-Pacific and $9 billion for shoring up American defence in the region.

'As a daughter of Indian immigrants, I'm proud to serve President Obama'

'As a daughter of Indian immigrants, I'm proud to serve President Obama'

Rediff.com17 Dec 2014

Aditi Hardikar says she is proud to honour her parents' sacrifices by giving back to her community and country.

IT Hiring Slowdown Worries Students

IT Hiring Slowdown Worries Students

Rediff.com13 Nov 2023

'Students of Tier-II and Tier III engineering colleges in the south may find 2023 to be one of the toughest years for getting jobs.'

US assures action against cops responsible for Indian student's death

US assures action against cops responsible for Indian student's death

Rediff.com14 Sep 2023

The Biden administration has assured the Indian government of a quick investigation into the incident and bring to justice the police officers who were responsible for it.

Canada withdraws 41 diplomats from India amid row

Canada withdraws 41 diplomats from India amid row

Rediff.com20 Oct 2023

Canada will be pausing all in-person services at the consulates in Chandigarh, Mumbai and Bengaluru and is now directing all Canadians in India to the High Commission in New Delhi.

Lawsuit filed against Trump's new H-1B visa rules

Lawsuit filed against Trump's new H-1B visa rules

Rediff.com20 Oct 2020

Several individuals and organisations, including the US Chambers of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers, have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration's recent rules related to the H-1B visa, terming them "arbitrary" and "haphazard" regulations that will undermine high skilled immigration into America. Early this month, the Trump administration 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.