The US government has suspended eight major IT firms, including Microsoft, Tata, Infosys, and Wipro, from the Permanent Labour Certification Programme, which allows companies to apply for green cards for foreign workers. This action, announced by Vice President J D Vance, Labour Secretary Keith Sonderling, and Attorney General Todd Blanche, is part of an effort to prevent American workers from being shut out of the job market. The Department of Labour cited abuse of the system, particularly by Microsoft, and also initiated an investigation into the J-1 visa programme used by several universities.
The Bill proposes replacing employment-based Green Card preferences with a points-based immigration framework.
The Trump administration has reinstated and expanded the "public charge" rule, making it harder for immigrants seeking green cards if they have used public benefits like Medicaid, food stamps, or housing assistance. This policy change, effective September 18, will impact many applicants, including those from India, by broadening the criteria for inadmissibility.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has stated that the recent suspension of eight IT firms, including itself, from a US green card programme will not impact its workforce strategy or customer engagements, citing its low number of applications and focus on local hiring.
This could come as a setback to thousands of Indian engineers who have waited for years for their work visas to pave the way for the coveted Green Card.
India has strongly criticised the US decision to suspend the Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) program for eight major IT firms, including Indian giants like TCS and Wipro. New Delhi also condemned US Vice President JD Vance's description of foreign professionals as "indentured servants," calling it "unwarranted and deeply offensive." The move is expected to impact thousands of Indian tech professionals seeking permanent residency in the US and further strains bilateral ties.
Two Indian-origin individuals, Pritesh Walia, a jazz guitarist, and Venkata Vasamsetty, a green-card holder grandmother, have been detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in separate cases, highlighting the Trump administration's intensified deportation and enforcement drive.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating Form I-485 for permanent residence, effective September 18, 2026, with no grace period for older versions. This change, aligning with public-charge inadmissibility rules, significantly impacts Green Card applicants, particularly Indian nationals facing visa backlogs, who must use the correct form version to avoid rejection.
The US Department of Homeland Security has clarified that not all immigrants seeking green cards will be required to return to their home country to make such applications, partially walking back a previous announcement.
The US government on Friday issued a new policy memo tightening rules for foreign nationals on temporary visas seeking permanent residency, stating that persons wanting a Green Card must return to their home country to apply, except in "extraordinary circumstances".
Green card holders have the right to live permanently in the country, but only if they do not commit deportable offences.
TCS chief executive and managing director K Krithivasan stated that the US is unlikely to target tech companies based on their domicile, with actions like the recent green card application programme suspension being driven by local sensitivities around jobs.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a significant increase in fees for the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Programme, effective November 30. This programme allows foreign investors, including many from India, to obtain permanent residency by investing in US commercial enterprises and creating jobs. The fee hikes, some more than doubling, are intended to fund USCIS operations, which are largely supported by fees rather than taxes.
Microsoft has clarified that 80 per cent of its H1-B visa applications in the last fiscal year were for existing employees, not new hires, following its suspension from a US green card programme.
Young golfer Aryan Roopa Anand carded a superb 6-under 66 to take the lead in the opening round of the AM Green IGPL Invitational in New Delhi. His performance also propelled his team, Delhi Blue Bulls, to the top of the team standings. Shiv Kapur, Sawai Hamendra Singh Bhati, and Sachin Baisoya also had strong starts.
Samarth Dwivedi and Gaganjeet Bhullar are tied for the lead after the second round of the AM Green IGPL Krishna Invitational in Hyderabad. Young talents Veer Ganapathy and Manav Shah are just one shot behind, setting up an exciting final day.
Five golfers, including Gaganjeet Bhullar, Aryan Roopa Anand, C Muniyappa, Rohit Baisoya, and Joshua Grenville-Wood, are tied for the lead at 5-under 65 after the opening round of the AM Green IGPL Krishna Invitational Hyderabad. Punjab Raptors and Vimtra Chennai Lions GC share the team honours, with 16 players within two shots of the lead, promising a competitive tournament.
'...but could demotivate employees seeking US residency.'
A Mumbai chartered accountant, Herat Salot, was allegedly defrauded of Rs 16.29 crore over nine years by an organised syndicate. The elaborate scam involved a fake US pilot training programme, fabricated FBI arrests, and other deceptive ploys. Three individuals have been arrested, while 22 others remain at large.
India's hockey team, led by Harmanpreet Singh, secured a dramatic 4-3 semifinal victory against Pakistan at the Asian Games, despite squandering a 3-0 lead and facing disciplinary issues. Harmanpreet emphasized the need for composure and avoiding silly mistakes against strong opponents, while Manpreet Singh highlighted the coach's advice to focus on the game, not the occasion. The team acknowledged defensive vulnerabilities but remained confident for the final.
The US State Department has paused visa appointments worldwide to conduct a 'global training initiative' for consular officers, aiming to ensure applicants are not likely to become a 'public charge' and are comprehensively evaluated, intensifying President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.
Peter G Kaestner, US Consul General, New Delhi, answers visa-related queries.
Om Prakash Chouhan is the best-placed Indian golfer, tied fifth, after carding a four-under 68 on the rain-affected opening day of the USD 4 million DP World India Championship at Delhi Golf Club. Play was suspended due to darkness, with Denmark's Niklas Nrgaard leading.
Reopening the country to people seeking green cards, or legal permanent residence, Biden in his proclamation on Wednesday said that the policy of former US President Donald Trump does not advance the interests of the United States.
The Indian women's hockey team defeated defending champions China 1-0 to win their first Asian Games gold medal in 44 years, securing a direct berth for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Lalremsiami scored the winning goal, and goalkeeper Savita Punia made crucial saves.
India's women's hockey team secured a historic gold medal at the Asian Games, defeating defending champions China 1-0. This victory, marked by Lalremsiami's early goal and a resilient defensive performance led by goalkeeper Bichu Devi, also earned India direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, ending a 44-year wait for the title.
The Biden administration has eased norms by releasing policy guidance on the eligibility criteria for those waiting for green cards to work and stay in America, days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US.
This employment-based backlog is projected to double by fiscal 2030. The back log exists because the number of foreign workers whom US employers sponsor for Green Cards each year exceeds the annual statutory Green Card allocation. In addition to this numerical limit, a statutory seven per cent per-country ceiling prevents the monopolisation of employment-based Green Cards by a few countries.
Seasoned golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar secured his fifth AM Green IGPL title by winning the Krishna Invitational 2026 Hyderabad on Friday. He finished with an aggregate score of 14-under-par 196, beating Karandeep Kochhar by three strokes. Bhullar's performance also led Chennai Lions GC to the team title.
One in 10 employees at California-headquartered technology unicorns now work from India, surpassing other major US tech hubs and several countries, driven by US visa restrictions and substantial cost savings.
The US is reportedly considering a USD 100,000 fee for Optional Practical Training (OPT) visas, which allow international students to work in the US after graduation. This move by the Trump administration follows a rejected H1-B visa fee proposal and could significantly impact foreign graduates and tech companies. The Department of Homeland Security is also exploring a USD 100,000 bond for green card applicants.
Defending champions India secured a dramatic 4-3 victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in the Asian Games hockey semifinal, thanks to a last-minute goal by Abhishek. India initially led 3-0 but allowed Pakistan to stage a comeback, scoring three goals to level the score before Abhishek's decisive strike with just 45 seconds remaining. The win sends India to the final, though their second-half performance raised questions.
'One important clarification is that the reported US action is not a blanket cancellation of all US tourist visas.'
As of now, about 66 per cent of the green cards are given to those with family ties and only 12 per cent are based on skills.
Jantar Mantar in New Delhi was heavily fortified with multi-layered barricades and thousands of security personnel on Saturday in anticipation of a protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The protest targeted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of voter-list tampering and bypassing colleagues to alter voter registration forms.
A Green Card, known officially as a permanent resident card, is a document issued to immigrants as evidence that the bearer has been granted the privilege of residing permanently in the US.
Indian golfers Pranavi Urs and Saptak Talwar delivered impressive performances on the opening day of the Asian Games, with Urs lying second in the individual women's standings and Talwar tied third among men. The Indian women's team is tied sixth, while the men's team is tied fifth, setting a promising tone for the competition.
Indian golfer Shiv Kapur, leveraging his UAE residence, shot a flawless 10-under 62, including a hole-in-one, to lead the opening event of the AM Green IGPL Invitational 2026. He holds a four-shot lead over a competitive field.
The US on Thursday introduced a new facility for premium processing of permanent residency, or Green Card, applications from foreign nationals that are willing to make heavy investment in US, resulting in creation of jobs.
Rookie professional Anvvi Dahiya surged to the top of the leaderboard in the 13th Leg of the Hero Women's Professional Golf Tour after an exceptional second round. The 18-year-old Gurugram golfer carded a 5-under 67, making an 11-shot improvement from her first round. She now leads experienced players like Vani Kapoor and Ridhima Dilawari, setting up an exciting final day.
