Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Cognizant and eight other major corporations have been questioned by US Senators for filing thousands of H-1B skilled labour visa petitions after conducting "mass layoffs" of American employees.
All were released on $250,000 bond, the Department of Justice said.
The conspiracy with which Patel and Mohta are charged carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The USCIS announcement indicated that the US government is going to be tough and stringent in approval of H-1B visas this year.
The US government will fight lawsuits aimed at blocking the USD 100,000 fee imposed on new H-1B visa petitions, asserting that the system was spammed with fraud and must be overhauled to prioritise American workers.
During the weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India's firm stance against illegal migration, emphasising commitment to promoting legal pathways for migration.
The US President said that companies have to bring people to "get those plants opened, we want you to do that, and we want those people to teach our people how to make computer chips and how to make other things."
Pune police invoke MCOCA against fugitive gangster Nilesh Ghaywal, wanted in multiple cases including murder and extortion. He is believed to be in London.
US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation restricting entry of certain non-immigrant workers and imposing a USD 100,000 fee on H-1B visas, citing abuse of the program and national security concerns.
Dr Pananjay Tiwari, founder and director of Impel Overseas Education, highlights what international students should keep in mind in order to be safe in a new country and avoid being deported.
Devyani Khobragade, deputy consul general at the Indian consulate in New York, was arrested on charges that she allegedly presented fraudulent documents to the United States State Department in support of a visa application for an Indian national employed as a babysitter and housekeeper at her home in Manhattan.
FBI director Kash Patel confirmed the arrest on X and called the case a "sobering reminder" that the CCP is working to deploy operatives and researchers to infiltrate American institutions and target the food supply in the US.
The Interpol has issued its first Silver notice, at India's request, to track the global assets of former French Embassy officer Shubham Shokeen, who is wanted in connection with a visa fraud. The Silver notice, introduced in January this year, aims to track illicit assets across the globe. India is among 51 countries participating in the pilot project for the Silver notice, which will continue until November. The Interpol has issued two Silver notices on the CBI's request - one against Shokeen for allegedly facilitating Schengen visas for illegal gratification and another against Amit Madanlal Lakhanpal, who is wanted by the Enforcement Directorate for allegedly creating a cryptocurrency without permission and defrauding investors.
'Big Week For #USIndia Law Enforcement Collaboration'
In a day of dramatic developments, the Indian diplomat is indicted on two charges, but she will leave the US. 'I will come out of this vindicated,' Dr Khobragade tells Rediff.com.
While the number of Indian students who have applied for visas to study in the United States has increased by 20% this year, the government has issued clear warnings to students against checking for authenticity of applied colleges and defaults in visa process.
'The kids are already used to this place. We go back and that's a different environment.' 'So, mentally, emotionally we are stressed.'
Glen Keiser, consular section chief, US Consulate, Mumbai, says that Hyderabad and Bangalore are centres of H-1B visa fraud.
Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade has asked a court in New York to dismiss the indictment against her and terminate any 'open' arrest warrants in the visa fraud case, arguing that she was 'cloaked' in diplomatic immunity and cannot face criminal prosecution in the United States
While the US government did not reveal the nationality of the arrested people, names released by authorities indicate that 10 of them are either Indians or of Indian-origin.
'Trump is not shy when he is frustrated with countries'
Red Square and VDNKh easily rank among the most striking places I've visited -- both for their historical significance and architectural splendour.
My admiration for Russian culture, vision and ambition grew with every step as I clocked the miles, Nitin Sathe tells us after a visit to Moscow and St Petersburg.
As the number of students seeking higher education abroad continues to rise, several countries are implementing new rules. Gaurav Batra, CEO and founder of Infinite Group highlights how these changes will impact Indians who are planning to study abroad.
The CBI successfully managed to get Monika Kapoor extradited from the United States, ending her 25-year flight from justice. She is accused of economic offenses including forgery and fraud.
The Congress on Wednesday expressed sadness over 'pictures of Indians getting handcuffed and humiliated' while being deported from the United States and recalled that America had to express regret over the treatment meted out to India diplomat Devyani Khobragade in 2013 after the then United Progressive Alliance government retaliated sharply.
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.
Former staffer files suit in US, says harassed after reporting visa abuse.
Mr Trump's actions, because of their extreme nature and the dangerous rhetoric that accompanies them, receive the most attention, points out Mihir S Sharma.
In a settlement, Infosys agreed to pay $34 million to resolve all allegations.
In an online chat with Get Ahead readers on April 27, US Consular Officer answered queries about how to avoid being caught in visa scams and the consequences of engaging in visa fraud and determining eligibility for an immigrant visa. Here is the unedited excerpt.
This is a culmination of the joint investigation carried out by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security.
A US prosecutor who successfully investigated a precedent-setting work visa fraud case against Infosys, resulting in the Indian IT giant paying a whopping $34 million in fine, has been recognised by Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Charles Johnson for his work.
To help readers make an informed decision, Rediff.com had organised a chat on November November 22, between 3 pm and 4 pm IST.
Infosys, the nation's second largest software exporter, on Wednesday paid a record $34 million fine to settle a visa row in the US.
Before heading abroad, ensure your travel insurance policy offers all essential coverage and has an adequate sum insured.
Foreign students knowingly enrolled in the fake school to falsely maintain their student visa status and remain in the US, according to prosecutors.
Former embassy officials Shubham Shokeen and Aarti Mandal allegedly made Rs 32,00,000, charging Rs 50,000 per visa by clearing files of questionable candidates, they said.
Four students of Indian origin have been served probation sentence and community service.
If the visa issue ultimately requires certain other considerations at govt level, we will consider that, says Ravi Shankar Prasad
Each of the defendants was associated with the Micropower Career Institute, a for-profit school with five campuses in New York and New Jersey, or the Institute for Health Education, a for-profit school located in New Jersey. Suman Guha Mozumder reports.
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