News for 'Immigration Department'

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.

Spouses of H-1B visa holders can work here, says US judge

Spouses of H-1B visa holders can work here, says US judge

Rediff.com30 Mar 2023

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.

Australian residency laws get tougher

Australian residency laws get tougher

Rediff.com22 Jul 2009

The new changes of withdrawing most vocational trades, including plumbing, welding and carpentry from its skills priority list, apart from proposal to remove cookery and hairdressing from the list of occupational skills in short supply was a seen as a step that may have widespread ramifications for the 15-billion-dollar international education industry of the country. Hairdressing and cookery were popular courses among Indian students.

Passengers on dunki flight to Nicaragua paid Rs 60-80 lakh

Passengers on dunki flight to Nicaragua paid Rs 60-80 lakh

Rediff.com2 Jan 2024

More than 60 people from Gujarat on board the Nicaragua-bound plane, which was sent back from France over suspected human trafficking, had agreed to pay Rs 60 lakh to Rs 80 lakh to immigration agents, who promised to cross into the US illegally after reaching the Latin American country, officials said.

US: Immigrants may be held indefinitely

US: Immigrants may be held indefinitely

Rediff.com14 Nov 2006

The new law, signed in October, strips foreigners of the right to challenge their detention in federal courts.\n\n

Woman climbs base of Statue of Liberty to protest Trump's immigration policy

Woman climbs base of Statue of Liberty to protest Trump's immigration policy

Rediff.com5 Jul 2018

The woman was part of a group of protesters and had declared that she wouldn't come down until "all the children are released.

When It Began To Snow In Dubai

When It Began To Snow In Dubai

Rediff.com1 Apr 2024

In Dubai, A Ganesh Nadar encountered high speeds on smooth-as-silk-roads, no bureaucracy, gold, Mr Toad's. And snow!

Agencies to put restrictions on suspects going abroad

Agencies to put restrictions on suspects going abroad

Rediff.com19 Jun 2019

A list of at least 20 individuals has been sent to the immigration department to prevent them from flying overseas.

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.

Trump signs executive order to end separation of immigrant families

Trump signs executive order to end separation of immigrant families

Rediff.com21 Jun 2018

The US president says 'we're going to keep families together' after facing huge backlash for his 'zero tolerance' stance.

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.

Obama may accept deal offering legal status to 11 mn immigrants

Obama may accept deal offering legal status to 11 mn immigrants

Rediff.com2 Feb 2014

In a major shift, US President Barack Obama has signalled a potential compromise on the contentious issue of immigration reform that could provide a path to citizenship to 11 million people, including some 2,40,000 Indians, already in America illegally.

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.

Reprieve for 104-yr-old woman

Reprieve for 104-yr-old woman

Rediff.com9 Mar 2005

The Australian government has granted a permanent visa to a 104-year-old Chinese woman at the centre of a decade-old immigration row.

UK: NRI jailed for bogus weddings

UK: NRI jailed for bogus weddings

Rediff.com8 Feb 2007

Paul Singh, a non resident Indian from Punjab, has been jailed, and a clergyman who joined hands with him in conducting sham marriages to hoodwink Britain's immigration department has been given a two-year suspended sentence.

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.

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.

Stricter US visa norm continues to plague IT cos

Stricter US visa norm continues to plague IT cos

Rediff.com21 Jul 2011

These firms are already affected by falling margins, delays in getting orders and the ongoing financial crisis in their second-biggest market, Europe.

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.

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.

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.

Kolkata: Woman alleges rape at gunpoint, 2 detained

Kolkata: Woman alleges rape at gunpoint, 2 detained

Rediff.com16 Feb 2012

Two persons were detained in connection with the alleged rape of a Anglo-Indian woman in a car in Kolkata even as the police said there were inconsistencies in her statements on the suspects.

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.

Indian population on rise in Australia

Indian population on rise in Australia

Rediff.com27 May 2010

The Indian community in Australia has multiplied in the last six years, surpassing Italians and topping the chart of biggest migrant community on fourth rank.

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.

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.

Indians top list of foreign pros in Norway

Indians top list of foreign pros in Norway

Rediff.com15 Apr 2008

India has topped the list of foreign skilled professionals working in Norway, with fellow colleagues from other countries faring way behind.According to Norwegian Immigration Department figures for 2007, Indian skilled professionals constitute one-fourth of the total foreign qualified professionals inducted in Norwegian firms in the given year.

Indian student applications for Australia nosedive

Indian student applications for Australia nosedive

Rediff.com7 Jan 2010

Spokesman Sandy Logan said racism and violence issue against foreign students were not mainly to be blamed for the slide in visa applications. It was also due to stricter and tougher scrutiny of applications and the immigration department has been rejecting a higher number of applications from India, he said.

German student told to leave India for protesting against CAA

German student told to leave India for protesting against CAA

Rediff.com24 Dec 2019

A German student at the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras has said he was asked to leave India for protesting against the new citizenship law that has sparked unrest across the country. During a protest in Chennai last week, he had carried a poster that made a reference to the Nazi rule in his own country: "1933 to 1945 - we have been there".

'Modi among 31 leaders to have personal details leaked at G20'

'Modi among 31 leaders to have personal details leaked at G20'

Rediff.com30 Mar 2015

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is among 31 world leaders whose personal details were inadvertently compromised at the G20 summit held in Australia last year, a media report said on Monday.

Lawyers compare Haneef case to historic case

Lawyers compare Haneef case to historic case

Rediff.com17 Jun 2008

In a deft move, the lawyers of Mohammed Haneef, the Indian doctor who was accused of backing a terror outfit, have compared the medico's case to the sensational 'Children Overboad Affair'* that rocked Australia some years ago.

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.

Indian Consulate blacklists 27 Dubai firms

Indian Consulate blacklists 27 Dubai firms

Rediff.com22 Jun 2006

The Indian Consulate in Dubai has blacklisted 27 Dubai-based companies after complaints of exploitation of workers.

Haneef's lawyers get to fast-track appeal

Haneef's lawyers get to fast-track appeal

Rediff.com14 May 2008

Lawyers for Indian doctor Mohammed Haneef, wrongly accused of involvement in the failed Glasgow car bombings, won a bid to fast-track a court challenge to secure confidential official documents relating to his case, on Wednesday.

Indian origin man cries foul over deportation

Indian origin man cries foul over deportation

Rediff.com26 Jan 2009

At one time the RCMP even suspected him of being involved in the murder of Vancouver-based journalist Tara Singh Hayer, who was to testify in the British Columbia Supreme Court regarding the Air India tragedy of June 23, 1985. However, he was found to be innocent after a polygraph examination on June 4, 2006.