News for 'Immigration Services'

Indian student in US arrested by masked agents from near home

Indian student in US arrested by masked agents from near home

Rediff.com20 Mar 2025

Badar Khan Suri, an Indian postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University, is facing deportation after US authorities accused him of "spreading Hamas propaganda" and having "close connections to a suspected terrorist." The Department of Homeland Security claims Suri has been actively promoting antisemitism on social media and is connected to a senior Hamas advisor. Suri's lawyer, Hassan Ahmad, argues that his client is being targeted due to his wife's Palestinian heritage and their opposition to US foreign policy towards Israel. The incident follows the self-deportation of another Indian student from Columbia University who was also accused of supporting Hamas.

Global intelligence chiefs meet in Delhi; focus on terrorism, tech threats

Global intelligence chiefs meet in Delhi; focus on terrorism, tech threats

Rediff.com17 Mar 2025

India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held bilateral talks with US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and chaired a conclave of top global intelligence chiefs focusing on strengthening cooperation in confronting various security challenges including terrorism and threats posed by emerging technologies. The meeting also focused on security in the Indo-Pacific region, cooperation to counter terror funding and money laundering, and issues relating to extradition and immigration.

US judge blocks Indian student's deportation over Hamas ties

US judge blocks Indian student's deportation over Hamas ties

Rediff.com21 Mar 2025

In his petition, Suri's lawyer said that he is being punished as his wife, who is a US citizen, is of Palestinian heritage and because the government suspects that he and his wife are against the US foreign policy towards Israel.

Indian student self-deports after US revokes visa for supporting Hamas

Indian student self-deports after US revokes visa for supporting Hamas

Rediff.com15 Mar 2025

Ranjani Srinivasan, a citizen and national of India, entered the United States on a F-1 student visa as a doctoral student in Urban Planning at Columbia University, the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement on Friday. It added that Srinivasan was "involved in activities supporting" Hamas, a terrorist organisation.

26/11: 'Rana Will Tell Us About ISI's Role'

26/11: 'Rana Will Tell Us About ISI's Role'

Rediff.com5 Feb 2025

'He is the key to unravel the 26/11 conspiracy.'

Tahawwur Rana lands in Delhi, NIA records arrest

Tahawwur Rana lands in Delhi, NIA records arrest

Rediff.com10 Apr 2025

Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, was brought to India on Thursday after being "successfully extradited " from the US, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said. The 64-year-old Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin landed in Delhi in a special plane on Thursday evening, ending days of speculation of when and how he will be extradited, officials said. The NIA said in a statement that it had secured the successful extradition after years of sustained and concerted efforts to bring to justice the key conspirator behind the 2008 mayhem that claimed 166 lives. Rana is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, and operatives of designated terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) along with other Pakistan-based co-conspirators, to carry out the the three-day terror siege of India's financial capital.

This US Congressman takes oath on Bhagavad Gita

This US Congressman takes oath on Bhagavad Gita

Rediff.com7 Jan 2025

Subramanyam's mother, who immigrated through Dulles Airport, watched her son being sworn-in on the Bhagavad Gita.

Kerala: The Puzzled Book Of Questions

Kerala: The Puzzled Book Of Questions

Rediff.com11 Jun 2025

Can a culture survive as a way of life, even as the language and writing at its core, alter with time? Can we be rational and Malayalee or do we have to necessarily be religious and proudly cultural to be Malayalee? asks Shyam G Menon.

Trump to temporarily suspend immigration to US over coronavirus

Trump to temporarily suspend immigration to US over coronavirus

Rediff.com21 Apr 2020

Details of the Trump's executive order were not immediately known.

Behind BJP's Delhi triumph: RSS' quiet campaign

Behind BJP's Delhi triumph: RSS' quiet campaign

Rediff.com8 Feb 2025

In the run-up to the Delhi assembly elections, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) went all out to persuade voters to elect an effective and accountable government for the progress of the national capital, contributing to the BJP's thumping victory in the polls, according to sources.

Will AI, Like Y2K, Be Gamechanger For Indian IT Cos?

Will AI, Like Y2K, Be Gamechanger For Indian IT Cos?

Rediff.com1 Jan 2025

'The race is now on for Indian IT firms to develop their AI prowess and focus on a software-first approach to services as the people element becomes more complicated with Trump's expected new regulations.'

Diplomatic Row Derails Students' Canada Dreams

Diplomatic Row Derails Students' Canada Dreams

Rediff.com23 Oct 2024

'We used to get 400-500 applications for Canada on a yearly basis until last year, but this has gone down to just 70 this year.'

Donkey agents misuse visa on arrival for trafficking, 11 held

Donkey agents misuse visa on arrival for trafficking, 11 held

Rediff.com11 Jul 2024

The countries offering visa-on-arrival service to Indian nationals have been exploited as 'Donkey Routes' by agents for people who endeavour to reach the United States and Canada.

How Will Trump Change The World On April 2?

How Will Trump Change The World On April 2?

Rediff.com1 Apr 2025

We have entered a new era in human history, asserts Aakar Patel.

How Will Trump's Tariff Threat Affect India?

How Will Trump's Tariff Threat Affect India?

Rediff.com19 Mar 2025

Unless something changes, Mr Trump is a huge threat right now, which is perhaps not being recognised fully, cautions Debashis Basu.

Kamala Harris recalls her Diwali visits to India in campaign op-ed

Kamala Harris recalls her Diwali visits to India in campaign op-ed

Rediff.com3 Nov 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris, who is the Democratic presidential candidate, in an op-ed on Saturday, recollected her frequent visit to India as a child, and her mother's mission to cure cancer.

Thousands decry Trump's immigrant ban at US airports

Thousands decry Trump's immigrant ban at US airports

Rediff.com29 Jan 2017

Hundreds of thousands of people gathered at airports across the US to protest the ban announced by President Donald Trump on immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries, extending solidarity to those affected as chaos and fear gripped individuals trying to enter the country.

Trump's travel ban: Immigrants detained; judge stays deportation

Trump's travel ban: Immigrants detained; judge stays deportation

Rediff.com29 Jan 2017

"It's working out very nicely. You see it in the airports, you see it all over. It's working out very nicely," Trump said.

Ahead of Modi's US visit, Biden eases green card norms

Ahead of Modi's US visit, Biden eases green card norms

Rediff.com16 Jun 2023

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.

Assam CM may order SIT probe into 'Pak links' of Gogoi's wife

Assam CM may order SIT probe into 'Pak links' of Gogoi's wife

Rediff.com15 Feb 2025

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into allegations of Pakistan links of Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi's British wife Elizabeth Colburn. Sarma alleged that Colburn had visited Pakistan after her marriage and that there are apprehensions of ISI infiltration into the Chief Minister's Office when Gogoi's father, the late Tarun Gogoi, was the chief minister. Sarma also shared screenshots of social media posts by Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, an advisor of the Pakistan Planning Commission and a former colleague of Colburn, claiming that the relationship between the Gogois and Sheikh appeared to be "deeply rooted." Sarma's allegations have been rejected by the Congress as "laughable and entertaining."

'Trump Respects India's Friendship'

'Trump Respects India's Friendship'

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

'The cooperation in technology is one of the most important aspects of the visit.' 'It will have a long-lasting impact because it will shift the entire paradigm in the context of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.'

Saurabh Netravalkar And The H-1B Dream

Saurabh Netravalkar And The H-1B Dream

Rediff.com11 Jul 2024

The US needs to understand that it could potentially lose out on attracting several Netravalkars in the future if it curbs the influx of such industrious Indian immigrants, argues Vishal Menon.

Shri Thanedar re-elected to House of Representatives

Shri Thanedar re-elected to House of Representatives

Rediff.com6 Nov 2024

He defeated his Republican rival Martell Bivings by a margin of over 35 percentage points as he was re-elected for the second term. In a statement he credited his victory to his record of delivering strong constituent services, standing up for working families, fighting for unions, and always fighting for reproductive freedom.

PIOs aiding fight against COVID-19 among '2020 Great Immigrants'

PIOs aiding fight against COVID-19 among '2020 Great Immigrants'

Rediff.com2 Jul 2020

Pulitzer Prize-winning author and oncologist Siddhartha Mukherjee, and Professor of Economics at Harvard University Raj Chetty have been named by the Carnegie Corporation of New York as '2020 Great Immigrants' honourees, the Corporation said in a statement on Wednesday.

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.

Vivek Ramaswamy wants to end H-1B visa system he used 29 times

Vivek Ramaswamy wants to end H-1B visa system he used 29 times

Rediff.com17 Sep 2023

Ramaswamy's stance on H-1B visas is reminiscent of the 2016 Trump campaign, when then-candidate Donald Trump, who has also hired a number of foreign workers under H-1B visas for his businesses, took a hardline stance on these foreign workers before later softening his rhetoric.

Biden celebrates Diwali at Whited House, Desis in attendance

Biden celebrates Diwali at Whited House, Desis in attendance

Rediff.com29 Oct 2024

United States President Joe Biden on Monday hosted a Diwali celebration at the White House that was attended by more than 600 eminent Indian Americans, including Congressmen, officials, and corporate executives, from across the country.

Was subjected to racism: Kash Patel tells Senate committee

Was subjected to racism: Kash Patel tells Senate committee

Rediff.com31 Jan 2025

Kash Patel, President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the FBI, told lawmakers that he has faced racism while growing up. During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Patel said he had been subjected to threats after his personal information was released by Congress. Patel said he was called a "detestable sand nigger" and told to "go back to where you came from." He said his family members, including his father and mother, were present at Capitol Hill during the hearing. Patel said his father fled Idi Amin's genocidal dictatorship in Uganda, where 300,000 men, women and children were killed based on their ethnicity. He said his mother is originally from Tanzania. Patel said he believes that people who put politics and personal ambition over service to the country should be named and that Americans deserve transparency.

Trump's 'America First' agenda may lead to higher tariffs

Trump's 'America First' agenda may lead to higher tariffs

Rediff.com6 Nov 2024

With Donald Trump all set to become US president, Indian exporters may face high customs duties for goods like automobiles, textiles and pharmaceuticals if the new US administration decides to pursue the 'America First' agenda, opined trade experts. Experts also said that Trump could also tighten H-1B visa rules, impacting costs and growth for Indian IT firms. Over 80 per cent of India's IT export earnings come from the US, making it vulnerable to changes in visa policies.

US reaches H-1B visa cap for 2021

US reaches H-1B visa cap for 2021

Rediff.com18 Feb 2021

The US has received enough petitions needed to reach the Congressionally-mandated 65,000 H-1B visa cap for the fiscal year 2021 and successful candidates for the most sought-after work visa among foreign professionals, including Indians, would be decided by a computerised draw of lots. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows the US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality 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.

Will India Have A Peace Keeping Role In Ukraine?

Will India Have A Peace Keeping Role In Ukraine?

Rediff.com18 Feb 2025

A peace keeping role for India is a distinct possibility. Indian military has both the numbers and experience to carry out this job, observes Colonel Anil A Athale (Retd).

Why Indians are immigrating illegally

Why Indians are immigrating illegally

Rediff.com21 Dec 2019

Driven by hardship, adventurous souls mortgage their homesteads in Punjab or Haryana, pawn the family jewellery and borrow heavily to satisfy the greed of the criminal traffickers who organise their trips, points out Sunanda K Datta-Ray.

Indian-American couple jailed for forcing relative to work at gas station

Indian-American couple jailed for forcing relative to work at gas station

Rediff.com26 Jun 2024

A United States court has sentenced an Indian-American couple to prison for coercing their relative to work at their gas station and convenience store for over three years by bringing him to the United States on the pretext of helping enrol him in a school.

Moody's says Indian economy likely to grow 7.2% in 2024

Moody's says Indian economy likely to grow 7.2% in 2024

Rediff.com15 Nov 2024

Indian economy is in a sweet spot, with a mix of solid growth and moderating inflation, Moody's Ratings said, forecasting a 7.2 per cent GDP growth in the 2024 calendar year and 6.6 per cent in the next. In its Global Macro Outlook 2025-26, the rating agency said the global economy has shown remarkable resilience in bouncing back from supply chain disruptions during the pandemic, an energy and food crisis after the Russia-Ukraine war began, high inflation and consequent monetary policy tightening.

Flights delayed at Delhi airport due to immigration server glitch

Flights delayed at Delhi airport due to immigration server glitch

Rediff.com29 Apr 2019

According to the official, six international flights were affected due to the server issue.

Manipur unrest: Curfew relaxed in 3 districts, Internet restored

Manipur unrest: Curfew relaxed in 3 districts, Internet restored

Rediff.com20 Nov 2024

Curfew was relaxed in three Imphal Valley districts on Tuesday and the suspension on broadband internet lifted with conditions, even as Chief Minister N Biren Singh blamed the Congress for the present crisis in Manipur and NDA MLAs called for a "mass operation" against militants responsible for the killing of six women and children. Peaceful rallies were also staged across the state, with hundreds taking to the streets with empty coffins in Churachandpur district, demanding justice for those killed in a gunfight with the security forces in Jiribam, and members of various civil society organisations bringing out a procession in Imphal West district to protest the reimposition of AFSPA in parts of the state.

US immigration detains Pak journalist

US immigration detains Pak journalist

Rediff.com14 Aug 2009

Media reports said even though the Immigration and Customs Enforcement had confirmed that Bunairee was in the agency's custody, they were unwilling to give out further details owing privacy reasons.

Hold H-1B visa? Will get green card soon

Hold H-1B visa? Will get green card soon

Rediff.com12 Jun 2008

From June 16, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services will begin accepting Premium Processing Service requests for Forms I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) filed on behalf of the alien workers whose six-month stay allowed under H1-B visa will expire within 60 days.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: Engaging The Indian Diaspora Is A Must

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: Engaging The Indian Diaspora Is A Must

Rediff.com8 Jan 2025

The Indian Diaspora has been able to carve a niche in their adopted countries as a result of their talent, perseverance and hardworking nature, asserts Rup Narayan Das.

22,000 H-1B applications filed in first four days

22,000 H-1B applications filed in first four days

Rediff.com6 Apr 2012

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services has received about 22,000 petitions for the much sought after H-1B work visas in the first four days after it started accepting applications on April 2, officials said.