Washington, March 19 (IANS) A tense US Senate hearing for Homeland Security Secretary nominee Markwayne Mullin underscored growing concerns over domestic security, law enforcement powers, and rising threats — issues that carry direct implications for Indian American communities in the United States. During Mullen’s confirmation hearing on Wednesday (Local time), Senators repeatedly warned that “the threats to our nation have never been higher,” as they cited recent attacks, cyber intrusio…
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Washington, March 19 (IANS) US Homeland Security Secretary nominee Markwayne Mullin said he supports legal immigration but will push for stricter enforcement of immigration laws.Testifying before the Senate on Wednesday (local time), Mullin drew a clear line between legal and illegal migration. He said the system must continue to work for those who follow the rules.“We do have naturalisation ceremonies Monday through Friday in this country,” he said. “We’re going to continue working with…
Washington, March 19 (IANS) FBI Director Kash Patel pushed back against lawmakers here, defending the bureau’s aggressive counterterrorism and law enforcement posture as senators pressed him on surveillance, resources, and evolving threats.The Indian American FBI chief adopted a combative and confident tone during exchanges at the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Wednesday (local time), repeatedly highlighting operational successes and rejecting criticism of the bureau’s approach.Pat…
Washington, March 5 (IANS) House Democrats and Republicans clashed over President Donald Trump’s military operation against Iran and a funding dispute involving the Department of Homeland Security.At separate weekly news conferences, the two parties offered sharply different views of the conflict and Congress’ role.House Democratic leaders urged passage of a War Powers resolution to limit military action. Republicans defended the operation and accused Democrats of weakening homeland security by …
Washington, March 5 (IANS) US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced intense questioning from Democratic lawmakers during a congressional hearing, as she defended the administration’s sweeping immigration crackdown and border enforcement policies amid sharp criticism from lawmakers. The hearing highlighted the deep political divide in Washington over immigration enforcement, civil liberties, and border security, with Noem repeatedly defending the administration’s approach as necessary to …
Washington, March 4 (IANS) A US government operation detaining migrants at Guantanamo Bay and deporting them to 26 countries, including India, has already cost more than $78 million, according to a congressional oversight report detailing the Pentagon-backed mission.The report on Operation Southern Guard said the Department of Defense spent $60.6 million on the operation during fiscal year 2025, while the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spent about $17.8 million supporting detention and de…
Washington, March 4 (IANS) A top Republican senator raised concerns over alleged abuse of employment-based visa programmes, including the H-1B system and Optional Practical Training (OPT), prompting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to confirm that it is reviewing the student work programme.During a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing, Senator Eric Schmitt argued that the H-1B visa programme was increasingly being misused in ways that could disadvantage American workers.“For t…
Washington, March 3 (IANS) A US Senate oversight hearing on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) turned sharply confrontational on Tuesday, as Democrats accused the agency of excessive force and civil liberties violations, while DHS Secretary Kristi Noem rejected the claims and defended enforcement actions as lawful. Senator Richard Durbin, the committee’s top Democrat, said that under Noem’s leadership the department has been “devoid of any moral compass or respect for the rule of law”.He …
Washington, March 3 (IANS) Nearly three million “illegal aliens” have left the United States of America during President Donald Trump’s second term as a result of stepped-up enforcement, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem told lawmakers on Tuesday, anchoring her defence of the administration’s immigration policy in a cascade of numbers. “Nearly three million illegal aliens have left the United States as a result of the administration’s enforcement efforts,” Noem said.Tha…
Washington, March 3 (IANS) Texas House Republicans have called for an immediate freeze on new H-1B visas and a pause on immigration after what they described as a terrorist attack in Austin that killed two people and injured 14 others.In a March 2 letter to congressional leaders, the State lawmakers said they were writing “in the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attack on the citizens of Austin, Texas.”They said that in the early morning hours of Sunday, March 1, 2026, “a gunman opened…