News for 'Immigration and Citizenship'

Clause 6 of Assam Accord cannot be implemented: BJP leader Himanta

Clause 6 of Assam Accord cannot be implemented: BJP leader Himanta

Rediff.com17 Feb 2021

Senior Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said the government cannot implement the recommendations of the central panel on Clause 6 of the Assam Accord, as those are "far from legal reality".

Britain, China clash over new UK visa for Hong Kongers

Britain, China clash over new UK visa for Hong Kongers

Rediff.com25 Feb 2021

Britain and China have clashed over the offer of British National Overseas passports to Hong Kong residents, observes Rup Narayan Das.

NRC used as tool to target minorities, says US panel

NRC used as tool to target minorities, says US panel

Rediff.com16 Nov 2019

Observing that the final NRC list, which validates bona fide Indian citizens of Assam, has excluded 19 lakh residents, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom on Friday said that a number of domestic and international organisations have expressed concern that the NRC is a "targeted mechanism to disenfranchise Assam's Bengali Muslim community, implicitly establishing a religious requirement for citizenship and potentially rendering large numbers of Muslims stateless."

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella to visit India this month

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella to visit India this month

Rediff.com13 Feb 2020

Nadella's visit comes at a time when the Indian government is taking a strong position on issues like data localisation and tightening the rules for e-commerce companies as well as social media platforms.

Canada: Ailing Sikh faces deportation

Canada: Ailing Sikh faces deportation

Rediff.com5 Dec 2007

A paralysed Sikh man seeking refugee status in Canada is facing deportation after the immigration office rejected his plea to stay in the country on compassionate grounds, prompting the Indo-Canadian community to come out in his support and stage protests.

Indian cos bear brunt of H1B visa denial, shows study

Indian cos bear brunt of H1B visa denial, shows study

Rediff.com5 Mar 2020

While the denial rate has dropped slightly to 21 per cent in 2019 from 24 per cent in 2018, the National Foundation for American Policy has said it is much higher for Indian IT companies like Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Wipro and very low for American companies like Amazon and Google. For instance, the denial rate for TCS and Infosys in 2019 was 31 per cent and 35 per cent respectively, whereas for Wipro it was 47 per cent and 37 per cent for Tech Mahindra. On the other hand, the denial rate for the new H-1B petitions in 2019 was just four per cent each for Amazon and Google. The denial rate for Microsoft during the same period was six per cent, and Facebook along with Walmart was just three per cent each.

'You can't take the BJP at face value'

'You can't take the BJP at face value'

Rediff.com11 Dec 2019

'There are 17 million Hindus in Bangladesh and we, in the north east, see this Citizenship (Amendment) Bill as a route for them to enter India on the plea that they are facing persecution in Bangladesh.'

Congress's chances in Assam hinge on alliance partners

Congress's chances in Assam hinge on alliance partners

Rediff.com22 Mar 2021

Even if the Congress is unable to defeat the political appeal of Narendra Modi, the resources and talent of the BJP and its managers, it is relying on issues like the Citizenship Amendment Act and the perceived threat to Assamese identity, along with the future threat of the National People's Register to ensure it continues to be a force in the state. Aditi Phadnis reports.

US job-based visa limit reached

US job-based visa limit reached

Rediff.com3 Jul 2007

The US has announced that the cap on employment-based immigrant visas for 2007 has been reached and no new applications will be entertained till October.

Employment bonanza announced for H-1B spouses

Employment bonanza announced for H-1B spouses

Rediff.com25 Feb 2015

From May 26 onwards, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services will begin accepting applications for work visas from H-IB spouses, reports Aziz Haniffa/Rediff.com.

US award for Indra Nooyi

US award for Indra Nooyi

Rediff.com24 Apr 2007

She was among 50 persons who were presented with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services', 'The Americans By Choice Awards'.

US has good news for Indian job seekers

US has good news for Indian job seekers

Rediff.com12 Apr 2007

In a welcome development for Indians seeking to work in the US, the Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced the extension of filing time for 'O' and the 'P' non-immigrant visas

'Canada is looking for talented Indians'

'Canada is looking for talented Indians'

Rediff.com21 Oct 2007

Canada's Citizenship and Immigration Minister Diane Finley will be leaving for New Delhi on October 31 to spend a week there to assess Canadian immigration operations in India.

H-1B visa: Silicon Valley-based IT firm sues US govt

H-1B visa: Silicon Valley-based IT firm sues US govt

Rediff.com17 May 2019

The company's H-1B petition on behalf of Anisetty was denied on the sole ground that the job offered to him did not qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation.

'Steep' decline in H-1B visas applications this year: USCIS

'Steep' decline in H-1B visas applications this year: USCIS

Rediff.com18 Apr 2017

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the federal agency which receives and determines the successful applications for H-1B visas, said yesterday that it received 199,000 H-1B applications for the 2018 fiscal year.

2,000 H-1B visas still available

2,000 H-1B visas still available

Rediff.com25 Apr 2007

The United States immigration authorities have announced that 2,000 slots in the H1B visa category are still available for those holding American master's degree or advanced degrees.

Massive H-1B denial rates for Indian IT companies under Trump

Massive H-1B denial rates for Indian IT companies under Trump

Rediff.com6 Nov 2019

The denial rate jumped from 4% to 41% for Tech Mahindra, from 6% to 34% for TCS, from 7% to 53% for Wipro and from just 2% to 45% for Infosys.

US starts receiving applications for H-1B visas

US starts receiving applications for H-1B visas

Rediff.com2 Apr 2013

Officials said the Citizenship and Immigration Services would not issue daily update on number of applications received, but will make an announcement when the cap is reached.

US demand for skilled worker visas seen topping quota

US demand for skilled worker visas seen topping quota

Rediff.com2 Apr 2013

US companies, particularly in technology, say they need the visas to fill vacant positions.

Over 7,000 Indian-Americans to be hit after Trump scraps 'Dreamers' programme

Over 7,000 Indian-Americans to be hit after Trump scraps 'Dreamers' programme

Rediff.com5 Sep 2017

India ranks 11th among countries of origin for Deferred Action for Children Arrival students.

UN body moves SC against CAA; India says no locus standi

UN body moves SC against CAA; India says no locus standi

Rediff.com3 Mar 2020

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has approached the Supreme Court seeking to intervene in the hearing on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, saying there was a need to take into account the "international human rights law, norms and standards" in the proceedings.

Trump's 'merit-based' visa scheme to replace lottery system

Trump's 'merit-based' visa scheme to replace lottery system

Rediff.com3 Aug 2017

The bill, Trump said, 'would represent the most significant reform to our immigration system in half a century'.

Democrats' win in US mid-terms opens a door of hope for IT firms

Democrats' win in US mid-terms opens a door of hope for IT firms

Rediff.com21 Nov 2018

With Democrats having an upper hand in US Congress, the Donald Trump administration will find it difficult to come up with any future legislative changes with regard to visa regulations.

Six-month extension to complete update of NRC by June 30

Six-month extension to complete update of NRC by June 30

Rediff.com27 Dec 2018

The draft NRC was published on July 30 and included the names of 2.9 crore people out of the total 3.29 crore applications. There has been a huge controversy over the exclusion of 40 lakh people from the draft NRC.

Assam recognises 1.9 crore as citizens in first NRC draft

Assam recognises 1.9 crore as citizens in first NRC draft

Rediff.com1 Jan 2018

NRC State Coordinator Prateek Hajela said those people whose names have been excluded in the first list need not worry.

Committed to abrogate Articles 370, 35A: BJP manifesto

Committed to abrogate Articles 370, 35A: BJP manifesto

Rediff.com8 Apr 2019

The party has always advocated abrogation of Article 370 and has also been speaking against Article 35A, but its renewed pitch during elections assumes significance.

Why fewer Indian students are heading to Australia

Why fewer Indian students are heading to Australia

Rediff.com2 May 2012

Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Chris Bowen on Wednesday said that reasons like the high cost of Australian dollar have resulted in decline in request for student visas from India

Oz eases tourist visa rules for its citizens' parents

Oz eases tourist visa rules for its citizens' parents

Rediff.com4 Sep 2012

The changes are expected to be in place by the end of this year.

US uses lottery to choose recipients of H-1B visas

US uses lottery to choose recipients of H-1B visas

Rediff.com9 Apr 2013

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services on Tuesday said that the lottery was done on April 7.

US gets 50,000 H-1B petitions' packages on 1st day

US gets 50,000 H-1B petitions' packages on 1st day

Rediff.com5 Apr 2013

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, officially, has not come out on the number of H-1B applications received by it since April 1 when it started accepting petitions for it for the fiscal 2014 beginning October 1, 2013.

The Indian American conundrum: Liberal in US, conservative in India

The Indian American conundrum: Liberal in US, conservative in India

Rediff.com10 Feb 2021

Indian-Americans have relatively more conservative views of policies in India while on issues affecting the US, the diaspora has a more liberal take, according to a survey of the political attitudes of the influential community in this country.

Indians largest permanent migrants to Australia

Indians largest permanent migrants to Australia

Rediff.com19 Jul 2012

Indian migrants comprised a total of 29,018 places or 15.7 per cent of the total migration programme of 185,000 places under the 2011-12 permanent migration programme.

Kerala Assembly passes resolution against CAA

Kerala Assembly passes resolution against CAA

Rediff.com31 Dec 2019

Setting aside their political differences, the ruling CPI-M-led Left Democratic Front and Opposition Congress headed United Democratic Front, once again came together to launch a joint fight against the Centre on the CAA, which has seen unprecedented protests all over the country.

Exclusion from NRC does not mean declaration as foreigners: MHA

Exclusion from NRC does not mean declaration as foreigners: MHA

Rediff.com23 Jul 2018

If someone is dissatisfied, he or she can always go to a foreigners' tribunal in the state to get justice, an official said.

H1-B visa applications for 2018-19 see 4% drop

H1-B visa applications for 2018-19 see 4% drop

Rediff.com15 Apr 2018

Lower numbers signal that that companies, especially the technology services firms, are steadily reducing the dependency on non-immigrant visas.

On Day 1, Biden signs 15 executive orders

On Day 1, Biden signs 15 executive orders

Rediff.com21 Jan 2021

The president said he will be signing a number of executive orders over the next several days of the week.

H1-B visa cap reached

H1-B visa cap reached

Rediff.com3 Jun 2006

Trouble brews for Indian techies as H-1B visa norms get tougher

Trouble brews for Indian techies as H-1B visa norms get tougher

Rediff.com2 Nov 2018

The new information required by the Department of Labour is significant because before sponsoring a foreign worker for the H-1B visa, the company needs to get its labour application approved by it.

Protests over CAA mark R-Day in New York

Protests over CAA mark R-Day in New York

Rediff.com27 Jan 2020

The Republic Day celebration was about India's Constitution, but the protests also argued for protecting the values of equality and secularism enshrined in it.

Indian-American lawmakers slam Trump's address to US Congress

Indian-American lawmakers slam Trump's address to US Congress

Rediff.com1 Mar 2017

Indian-American lawmakers on Wednesday criticised US President Donald Trump's maiden address to Congress, saying it lacked specificity and offered only unrealistic plans on issues like immigration and Obamacare.