Washington, July 28 (IANS) The Trump administration has changed the US asylum system to allow immigration officials to send certain applications directly to immigration judges without first interviewing applicants, a move the government says will reduce a large backlog but immigrant advocates say will weaken due process.The interim final rule allows US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to refer affirmative asylum applications to immigration judges without conducting an initial intervi…
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Washington, July 20 (IANS) A new four-year limit on F-1 and J-1 visas could push international students out of the United States midway through their degrees or research, an Indian diaspora policy group has warned.The Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) urged elected officials and US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to halt the immediate implementation of the Department of Homeland Security rule.According to FIIDS, the measure was finalised on July 16-17 and is s…
Washington, July 16 (IANS) The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has finalised a rule rescinding the Biden administration’s 2022 public charge regulation, restoring broader discretion to immigration officers when deciding whether applicants for visas or permanent residency are likely to become dependent on government assistance.The department said the move aligns immigration policy with what it described as Congressional intent that immigrants should be self-reliant and not depend on taxp…
Washington, July 3 (IANS) Congressional Democrats have urged the Trump administration to reverse what they called a major shift in the US green card process, arguing that a new policy could force eligible applicants to seek permanent residence from abroad instead of adjusting their status while remaining in the United States.In a letter to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow, Democratic lawmakers led by Senator Alex Padilla, Senator Dick Durbin, Representative J…
Washington, May 24 (IANS) Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera sharply criticised the Trump administration’s new immigration policy that could force many Green Card applicants living legally in the United States to leave the country and complete the process abroad, calling it disruptive and harmful to families, workers and the American economy.“I strongly oppose the Trump administration’s disruptive decision to require many students, temporary visa holders, and other individuals seeking gr…
Washington, May 1 (IANS) The US immigration authorities have identified about 100 H-1B visa cases linked to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) roles, according to an official response to a senator, as the administration steps up scrutiny of the programme.In a letter dated April 21, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph B. Edlow said the agency reviewed H-1B petitions filed between fiscal years 2021 and 2024 following concerns raised by Senator Eric Schmitt.“Thi…
Washington, April 1 (IANS) The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said that it has received enough electronic registrations to meet the fiscal year 2027 H-1B visa cap, including the advanced degree exemption, triggering the next phase of filings starting April 1.The agency confirmed it has “selected enough beneficiaries with properly submitted registrations to reach the H-1B cap” and has notified petitioners whose beneficiaries were chosen. Only those with selected registrations…
Washington, Jan 10 (IANS) US Citizenship and Immigration Services announced an increase in fees for premium processing of several immigration benefits, including the H-1B visa, effective March 1.USCIS said the premium processing fee has been increased to reflect the amount of inflation from June 2023 through June 2025.The changes affect key employment-based and non-immigrant filings widely used by foreign professionals, including Indian nationals working or studying in the United States.Under th…