News for 'United States Citizenship and Immigration Services'

Key provisions of CAA may violate Indian Constitution: US report

Key provisions of CAA may violate Indian Constitution: US report

Rediff.com22 Apr 2024

Key provisions of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) which came into law this year may violate certain provisions of India's Constitution, a report issued by an independent research wing of the United States Congress has claimed.

H-1B visas: A hot-button issue

H-1B visas: A hot-button issue

Rediff.com20 Mar 2009

A new law and a new study refuel the H-1B debate.

Ex-ISIS bride Shamima Begum can't return to Britain, loses citizenship appeal

Ex-ISIS bride Shamima Begum can't return to Britain, loses citizenship appeal

Rediff.com22 Feb 2023

The British government has claimed Begum could seek a Bangladeshi passport given her heritage but her family has argued that she is British and has never held Bangladeshi citizenship.

700 Indians took political asylum in US in 2014... and the number is rising

700 Indians took political asylum in US in 2014... and the number is rising

Rediff.com17 Mar 2015

Political asylum is the right to live in a foreign country, and is given by the government of that country to people who have to leave their own country because they are in danger of persecution.

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.

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.

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.

In acceptance speech, Kamala warns Americans against re-electing Trump

In acceptance speech, Kamala warns Americans against re-electing Trump

Rediff.com24 Aug 2024

Kamala Harris used her forceful presidential acceptance speech to present herself as a leader who could unite the country to chart a 'new way forward' and warned Americans of 'extremely serious' consequences of putting her Republican rival Donald Trump back in the White House.

'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.

Not many takers for H-1B visas

Not many takers for H-1B visas

Rediff.com19 Aug 2010

According to the latest figures released by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, just 29,700 people had applied for H-1B visas till August 13.

US announces new norms for hiring of H-1B workers

US announces new norms for hiring of H-1B workers

Rediff.com21 Mar 2009

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the measures to enforce the provisions of the new Employ American Workers Act (EAWA) of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which prohibits hiring of H-1B visa holders by American companies who receive the federal aid money.

Trump's in-laws become US citizens using 'chain migration', which he criticises

Trump's in-laws become US citizens using 'chain migration', which he criticises

Rediff.com10 Aug 2018

CHAIN MIGRATION must end now, Trump had tweeted ion November.

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.

H-1B applications to be accepted from April 1

H-1B applications to be accepted from April 1

Rediff.com9 Mar 2010

The United States will start accepting the applications for H-1B visas, most sought after by Indians, from April one for the fiscal 2011.

H-1B bill gives Americans first shot at tech jobs

H-1B bill gives Americans first shot at tech jobs

Rediff.com4 Apr 2007

The bill will attempt to toughen the H-1B visa program.

No H-1B visa caps for data localisation: US State Department

No H-1B visa caps for data localisation: US State Department

Rediff.com21 Jun 2019

International companies usually store data on global servers and the requirement to store data locally would require them to make an additional investment. But policymakers in India believe storing data locally would help monitor and conduct investigations if the need arises.

SC to hear in March plea seeking release of Rohingyas

SC to hear in March plea seeking release of Rohingyas

Rediff.com29 Feb 2024

The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to hear in March a plea seeking direction to the government to release Rohingya refugees who have been 'illegally and arbitrarily' detained in jails and detention centres across the country.

H-1B visas vanish, worry Indians

H-1B visas vanish, worry Indians

Rediff.com5 Jan 2006

The rush for these visas before the limit runs out is apparent from the fact that while 3,302 such visas were available on November 29, 2005 only 1,364 visas remain on offer at present.

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.

US makes it easier for H-1B spouses to take up employment

US makes it easier for H-1B spouses to take up employment

Rediff.com12 Nov 2021

In yet another immigration-friendly move that would benefit thousands of Indian-American women, the Biden administration has agreed to provide automatic work authorisation permits to the spouses of H-1B visa holders, most of whom are Indian IT professionals.

'Never dreamed of it': Indian who became American at Trump event

'Never dreamed of it': Indian who became American at Trump event

Rediff.com27 Aug 2020

Narayanan said she did not have an opinion about Trump's immigration policies and added that she found out that the ceremony aired during the Republican Convention "only when an excited friend called her later that night and told her she was on television," the report said.

US visa rules relaxed for temp workers's spouses

US visa rules relaxed for temp workers's spouses

Rediff.com16 Jan 2007

Earlier, immigration regulations had set a more stringent standard on the maximum time in H or L status, whether as a worker or an employee.

Lawsuit filed in US over short-duration H-1B visas

Lawsuit filed in US over short-duration H-1B visas

Rediff.com16 Oct 2018

ITServe's lawsuit against the USCIS alleges that the agency has no authority to misinterpret the existing regulations and shorten the approval durations.

US, UK, other countries issue advisory for NE states

US, UK, other countries issue advisory for NE states

Rediff.com14 Dec 2019

Several countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Israel Canada and Singapore, have asked their citizens to exercise caution while travelling to the Northeast India which has witnessed violent protests against the amended citizenship act.

More trouble brews for Indian techies in US

More trouble brews for Indian techies in US

Rediff.com3 Jan 2018

The proposals aims to impose new restrictions to prevent abuse and misuse of H-1B visas, besides ending the provision of granting extension for those who already have a green card.

US to start accepting H-1B petitions from April 1

US to start accepting H-1B petitions from April 1

Rediff.com13 Mar 2015

US to start accepting H-1B petitions from April 1.

Uneasy calm in Assam, WB boils over citizenship law

Uneasy calm in Assam, WB boils over citizenship law

Rediff.com15 Dec 2019

Muslims across the country have joined the agitation, apprehending that the move could be a precursor to a country-wide NRC.

'Only five per cent of Vedic pandits have gone missing in US'

'Only five per cent of Vedic pandits have gone missing in US'

Rediff.com28 Jan 2014

The Iowa-based institutions of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi have said about only five per cent of the 2,600 Vedic pandits, who were brought to the United States from north Indian villages, have gone missing in recent years.

US has record number of H-1B tech visa applications

US has record number of H-1B tech visa applications

Rediff.com14 Apr 2015

Applications for H-1B visas totalled a record 233,000 for fiscal 2016, according to figures released recently.

'Work permits for H1-B spouses is a game-changer'

'Work permits for H1-B spouses is a game-changer'

Rediff.com25 Feb 2015

Now, these spouses can be employed in the United States while on an H-4 visa. In many cases, these spouses will now begin working or starting their own companies

New H-1B rules to impact Indian IT cos

New H-1B rules to impact Indian IT cos

Rediff.com3 Jun 2015

This move is expected to restrict movement of H-1B visa holders.

US hikes H-1B application fee by $10

US hikes H-1B application fee by $10

Rediff.com8 Nov 2019

This non-refundable fee will support the new electronic registration system to make the H-1B cap selection process more efficient for both petitioners and the federal agency, USCIS said.

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.

Tighter rules for Indian H-1B applicants

Tighter rules for Indian H-1B applicants

Rediff.com29 Apr 2019

It has been the preferred visa for Indian IT companies and has helped them keep costs down and gain a margin advantage over multinational players by sending engineers to the US.

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.

USCIS sued for tweaking H-1B duration

USCIS sued for tweaking H-1B duration

Rediff.com17 Oct 2018

'USCIS has been making arbitrary rules for over eight years, it's our top priority to set things right.'

US to revoke work permits to spouses of H-1B holders in 3 months

US to revoke work permits to spouses of H-1B holders in 3 months

Rediff.com22 Sep 2018

The move will have a major impact on Indian women as they are the major beneficiary of the Obama-era rule.

Tech giants urge Trump admin to retain H1-B spouses' work permit

Tech giants urge Trump admin to retain H1-B spouses' work permit

Rediff.com19 Jan 2018

The Trump administration is reportedly moving ahead with its decision not to give work permits to the spouses of H-1B visa-holders, arguing that this displaces genuine American workers.