News for 'Department of Immigration'

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.'

Manipur: 'The basic issue is land'

Manipur: 'The basic issue is land'

Rediff.com5 Jul 2023

'Meiteis started feeling insecure stating that the illegal immigrant population is growing in the valley, and that the majority community would become a minority.'

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.

The A-W Of Desi Guests At the White House Dinner

The A-W Of Desi Guests At the White House Dinner

Rediff.com24 Jun 2023

The dinner Jill Biden and her husband US President Joe Biden hosted for Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, June 22, at the White House brought together, Indians and Americans from so many firmaments.

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.

US embassy officials in Kabul warned of Taliban takeover in July

US embassy officials in Kabul warned of Taliban takeover in July

Rediff.com20 Aug 2021

Nearly 23 officials signed the cable that went to Blinken and Director of Policy Planning Salman Ahmad, The Wall Street Journal added.

Citing coronavirus, US allows H-1B visa extension

Citing coronavirus, US allows H-1B visa extension

Rediff.com14 Apr 2020

In a big relief for thousands of stranded Indian professionals in America due to the coronavirus pandemic, the US government has decided to allow applications by H-1B visa holders for an extended stay in the country. The US department of homeland security in a new notification has said it recognises that there are immigration-related challenges as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Every fourth resident non-migrants in US in 2016 was Indian

Every fourth resident non-migrants in US in 2016 was Indian

Rediff.com18 Sep 2019

In 2016, there were 580,000 Indians in the US as resident non-immigrant. Of these, 440,000 were temporary workers, which includes those on H-1B visas and 140,000 were students.

US judge blocks Trump's H-1B visa ban

US judge blocks Trump's H-1B visa ban

Rediff.com2 Oct 2020

In a major relief to thousands of Indian IT professionals, a federal judge in the US on Thursday blocked the enforcement of a temporary visa ban by the Trump administration on a large number of work permits, including the most sought after H-1B visas, ruling that the president exceeded his constitutional authority.

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.

Producer-actor Vijay Babu not to be arrested in rape case on arrival, says HC

Producer-actor Vijay Babu not to be arrested in rape case on arrival, says HC

Rediff.com31 May 2022

The court directed the Centre and the state government to communicate its order to the respective departments and listed the matter for hearing on June 2.

US readies plan to eliminate visa wait time in India

US readies plan to eliminate visa wait time in India

Rediff.com18 Jan 2023

The US is 'putting every ounce of its energy' to eliminate the long visa wait time in India, including sending a cadre of consular officers to the country and opening up its other overseas embassies as far away as Germany and Thailand for Indian visa applicants, according to a senior US visa officer. India was one of the very few countries where applications for US visas saw a major upswing after coronavirus-related travel restrictions were lifted. There have been growing concerns in India over the long waiting period for first time visa applicants, especially for those applying under B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) categories.

UK Opposition protests as Braverman returns as home secretary

UK Opposition protests as Braverman returns as home secretary

Rediff.com26 Oct 2022

Braverman, 42, resigned from the cabinet of former prime minister Liz Truss last week, having breached the ministerial code by sending secure information from her private email.

ED stops scribe Rana Ayyub at airport from flying abroad, asks to join probe

ED stops scribe Rana Ayyub at airport from flying abroad, asks to join probe

Rediff.com30 Mar 2022

The federal probe agency wants to question and record Ayyub's statement in a money laundering case against her.

Uniform Civil Code, NRC, freebies in BJP's K'taka poll manifesto

Uniform Civil Code, NRC, freebies in BJP's K'taka poll manifesto

Rediff.com1 May 2023

It also promised to launch the 'Poshane' scheme through which every BPL household will be provided with half litre 'Nandini' milk every day and five kg 'Shri Anna - siri dhanya' through monthly ration kits.

US plans on business visa will hit hundreds of Indians

US plans on business visa will hit hundreds of Indians

Rediff.com22 Oct 2020

The State Department has proposed not to issue temporary business visas for H-1B speciality occupations which allowed several companies to send their technology professionals for a short stay to complete jobs on site in the US, a move which could affect hundreds of Indians. The proposal, if finalised, will eliminate any misconception that the "B-1 in lieu of H policy" provides an alternative avenue for foreign professionals to enter the US to perform skilled labour that allows, and potentially even encourages them and their employers to circumvent the restrictions and requirements relating to the H non-immigrant classification established by Congress to protect the US workers, the State Department said.

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.

Indians found dead on US-Canada border believed to be from Gujarat

Indians found dead on US-Canada border believed to be from Gujarat

Rediff.com2 Apr 2023

Canadian police have named two of the eight people, including four Indians, whose bodies were found in a marshland area along the United States-Canada border, amid an investigation into the circumstances of their deaths.

Sri Lanka forms committee for repatriation of Tamil refugees from India

Sri Lanka forms committee for repatriation of Tamil refugees from India

Rediff.com5 Sep 2022

The Sri Lanka deputy high commissioner's office in Chennai is coordinating the efforts, it added.

Biden signs order to end Trump's Muslim travel ban

Biden signs order to end Trump's Muslim travel ban

Rediff.com21 Jan 2021

The Muslim ban initially restricted travel from seven Muslim-majority nations: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

4 Americans evacuated from Afghanistan overland

4 Americans evacuated from Afghanistan overland

Rediff.com7 Sep 2021

The official confirmed that these are the first four Americans that "we've facilitated in this manner" since the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.

'My good wishes with him': Cop who caught Charles Sobhraj

'My good wishes with him': Cop who caught Charles Sobhraj

Rediff.com24 Dec 2022

'I also wish he would lead a spiritual life, confessing his past involvement in criminal activities'

Airlines told to share international fliers' PNR with customs

Airlines told to share international fliers' PNR with customs

Rediff.com9 Aug 2022

With this, India joins 60 other countries that collect PNR details of international passengers.

US imposes sanctions on Pak, may deny visa to citizens

US imposes sanctions on Pak, may deny visa to citizens

Rediff.com28 Apr 2019

Islamabad refused to take back its citizen deportees and visa over-stayers from America

Is Indian-American Ro Khanna eyeing 2024 US prez bid?

Is Indian-American Ro Khanna eyeing 2024 US prez bid?

Rediff.com14 Jan 2023

Those close to Khanna, 46, say he is keeping his options open ahead of a potential presidential run in 2028 or beyond. But others in his orbit are talking about an even more compressed timeline: running in 2024 if President Joe Biden, 80, decided not to, according to Politico, a political newspaper company based in Arlington County in the US.

174 Indians file lawsuit against Trump's proclamation on H-1B

174 Indians file lawsuit against Trump's proclamation on H-1B

Rediff.com16 Jul 2020

The lawsuit seeks an order declaring the presidential proclamation restriction on issuing new H-1B or H4 visas or admitting new H-1B or H-4 visa holders as unlawful.

Punjab's Home Guard chief wants to quit over 'harassment'

Punjab's Home Guard chief wants to quit over 'harassment'

Rediff.com10 Aug 2021

Alleging that he has been "harassed" and served with a chargesheet on "frivolous" grounds, Punjab's Commandant General, Home Guards, Kultaran Singh Ghumman has sought premature retirement from service.

Planned after Mumbai terror attack, Modi likely to launch NATGRID soon

Planned after Mumbai terror attack, Modi likely to launch NATGRID soon

Rediff.com12 Sep 2021

"Had corona (COVID-19) not been there, the prime minister would have dedicated NATGRID to the country. I am hopeful that the prime minister will dedicate NATGRID to the country in some time," Union home minister Amit Shah said during the 51st Foundation Day event of the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) here on September 4.

Foreign students in US may be deported if classes go online

Foreign students in US may be deported if classes go online

Rediff.com7 Jul 2020

The guidance is certain to cause severe anxiety and uncertainty for the hundreds of thousands of international students who are studying in the country and for those who were preparing to arrive in the US to begin their education when the new academic session begins in September.

US to send 3000 troops to help evacuate embassy staff in Kabul

US to send 3000 troops to help evacuate embassy staff in Kabul

Rediff.com13 Aug 2021

"The embassy remains open and we plan to continue our diplomatic work in Afghanistan. The United States will continue to support consular services, and that includes the processing and operations of the Special Immigrant Visa Program, and we'll continue to engage in diplomacy with the Afghan government and the Afghan people. Additionally, we will continue our focus on counterterrorism," he said.

Broke and sad: 150 deportees return home from US

Broke and sad: 150 deportees return home from US

Rediff.com20 Nov 2019

As they stepped outside the airport, one after the other, they appeared sad. Some said they felt dejected that they could not realise their American dream even after several attempts.

HC raps govt for not doing enough to track producer's children in Pakistan

HC raps govt for not doing enough to track producer's children in Pakistan

Rediff.com21 Sep 2022

The Bombay high court on Wednesday rapped the Union government for "half-baked assurances and lips service" on tracking film producer Mushtaq Nadiadwala's two minor children, who he claims have been illegally detained by his wife in Pakistan since 2020.

Rishi Sunak warns of 'very difficult decisions' in first cabinet meet

Rishi Sunak warns of 'very difficult decisions' in first cabinet meet

Rediff.com26 Oct 2022

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday held his first Cabinet meeting with the new team as he prepares for his debut at Prime Minister's Questions, the first big test of Britain's Indian-origin premier's leadership.

Australian government cancels Djokovic visa again

Australian government cancels Djokovic visa again

Rediff.com14 Jan 2022

The Australian government cancelled Novak Djokovic's visa for a second time on Friday, saying the World No 1, unvaccinated for COVID-19, may pose a risk to the community.

Why US-based IT firms are likely to send more work to India

Why US-based IT firms are likely to send more work to India

Rediff.com25 Sep 2020

Most of the large Indian IT services players, such as TCS, Infosys, Wipro, and HCL Tech, have signalled increased offshoring efforts and opting for local hires in the US, primarily to address the immigration-related challenges.

'Just because you're an immigrant doesn't mean you should live in fear'

'Just because you're an immigrant doesn't mean you should live in fear'

Rediff.com26 Mar 2015

Three years after the horrific massacre of Sikh worshippers at the Oak Creek, Wisconsin, gurdwara by a gunman with ties to supremacist organisations, a federal system to help track hate crimes against Sikhs, Hindu, Arab American communities has been formalised.

Voracova left Australia after visa issues: Czech Foreign Ministry

Voracova left Australia after visa issues: Czech Foreign Ministry

Rediff.com8 Jan 2022

While Djokovic has challenged his visa cancellation, Voracova, a 38-year-old doubles specialist, decided to leave, telling Czech news site idnes.cz she would not challenge because of the time it would take to wait and not train ahead of the Australian Open later this month.

'Trust can only be earned over long periods of time'

'Trust can only be earned over long periods of time'

Rediff.com26 Jun 2023

'This is still a relatively immature defense and high-tech relationship.'

Vijay Babu arrives in Kochi, appears for questioning

Vijay Babu arrives in Kochi, appears for questioning

Rediff.com1 Jun 2022

While granting him interim protection from arrest till June 2, the high court had directed him to immediately appear before the Investigating Officer (IO) of the case and had permitted the police to interrogate or question him.

US deploys 6000 troops at Kabul airport for evacuation

US deploys 6000 troops at Kabul airport for evacuation

Rediff.com16 Aug 2021

Simultaneously more than 60 countries led by the United States and the European Union issued a joint statement urging those in positions of power and authority across Afghanistan to bear responsibility and accountability for the protection of human life and property, and for the immediate restoration of security and civil order.