All posts tagged: H-1B visa

Why Indians on H-1B Visas Are Worried

Why Indians on H-1B Visas Are Worried

Published by Parlour News

On Friday (May 22), the US moved to significantly restrict who can obtain permanent residency in the country, rattling the lakhs of Indians on temporary visas who are awaiting a Green Card. The US Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), announced that those applying for Green Cards must return to their home countries to do so — a sweeping reversal of a practice in place for over half a century. People can apply for Green Cards in two ways — going to a US consulate abroad, or applying for one while already in the US, which is called an “adjustment of status”. The new USCIS policy memo targets the second, more popular route, used for decades by Indian workers on H-1B visas, students transitioning from F-1 to work visas, and spouses on H4 dependent visas. The new policy is especially concerning for Indians because they dominate the decades-long backlog in employment-based Green Card categories such as EB-2 and EB-3. For many Indian professionals, the wait stretches beyond 15 …

Indian-Origin Man Likely To Face Deportation Over Viral Dance Video At WWII Memorial | World News

Indian-Origin Man Likely To Face Deportation Over Viral Dance Video At WWII Memorial | World News

Published by Webster

Last Updated:March 08, 2026, 11:26 IST Madhu Raju, an Indian-origin man in the US, may face deportation after a viral TikTok showed him dancing at the World War II Memorial, drawing widespread criticism. Image credit: X/@DrNimoYadav An Indian-origin man in the United States may face deportation after a purported video featuring him dancing at the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC, went viral online, drawing widespread criticism and capturing the attention of the concerned authorities. The clip posted on TikTok features the man — identified as Madhu Raju — performing a choreographed dance routine at the National World War II Memorial on the National Mall, alongside a woman who is also seen dancing with him. However, the identity of the woman is yet to be ascertained. WATCH Indian couple working in the United States on H-1B visas went to the World War II Memorial in Washington DC and danced there amid the ongoing war between Iran and the United States.Indians 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/6LqS0azLm6 — Dr Nimo Yadav 2.0 (@DrNimoYadav) March 5, 2026 The memorial honours …

What is the EXILE Act? Bill introduced in US Congress to end H1B visas explained| India News

What is the EXILE Act? Bill introduced in US Congress to end H1B visas explained| India News

Published by Parlour News

A new bill has been introduced in the US Congress to end the H-1B visa program, an issue that has repeatedly come up since President Donald Trump won the 2024 election. The EXILE Act bill, if passed, would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act by ending the H-1B visa program. (REUTERS/ Representative) The ‘Ending Exploitative Imported Labour Exemptions Act or EXILE Act’ has been introduced by Republican representative Greg Steube from Florida, with the lawmaker saying that corporations have repeatedly abused the H1B visa system and imported cheaper foreign labour into America. The EXILE Act bill, if passed, would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act by ending the H-1B visa program. “Prioritising foreign labour over the well-being and prosperity of American citizens undermines our values and national interests,” Steube said in a statement. “Our workers and young people continue to be displaced and disenfranchised by the H-1B visa program that awards corporations and foreign competitors at the expense of our workforce. We cannot preserve the American dream for our children while forfeiting their share to …

India’s US envoy calls on American counterpart at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago, talks trade ties

India’s US envoy calls on American counterpart at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago, talks trade ties

Published by Parlour News

India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, met with his American counterpart, Sergio Gor, at US President Donald Trump’s residence, Mar-a-Lago in Florida, and held extensive discussions on trade ties amid tariff tensions and the suspension of the H-1B visa lottery. Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra undertook his first visit to Mar-a-Lago and held discussions with Sergio Gor.(X/ Sergio Gor) Kwatra undertook his first visit to Mar-a-Lago and held discussions with Gor, the US Ambassador to India and Special Envoy to South and Central Asia. According to his post on the social media platform X, the discussion centred on the “shared goal” of strengthening trade ties between India and the United States. Both diplomats also talked about the priorities for the bilateral partnership. “Happy to connect with @USAmbIndia Sergio Gor in Mar-a-Lago. Extensive discussions on our shared goal to (strengthen) trade ties, as also his plans and priorities for our bilateral partnership as he prepares to assume his responsibility as the US Ambassador to India!” Kwatra said in the post. Sergio Gor also talked about …

Why are H-1B visa renewal appointments in India being cancelled abruptly?

Why are H-1B visa renewal appointments in India being cancelled abruptly?

Published by Parlour News

The pre-scheduled interviews of thousands of H-1B visa applicants, originally slated for later in December in India, have been abruptly postponed by several months, reportedly due to new, stricter background and social media vetting rules. H-1B applicants who had their visa appointments after December 15 have been particularly affected.(Representational) The applicants, who had their visa appointments after December 15, have been particularly affected, with some interviews being rescheduled to as late as October 2026. The US embassy in India has urged visa applicants not to come to the consular offices based on their previously scheduled interview date. “If you have received an email advising that your visa appointment has been rescheduled, Mission India looks forward to assisting you on your new appointment date. Arriving on your previously scheduled appointment date will result in your being denied admittance to the Embassy or Consulate,” the embassy said in an X post earlier this month. The mass cancellation of scheduled interviews for H-1B visa applicants, in view of the enhanced vetting measures, is set to result in significant …

Google, Apple warns staff with US visas against international travel due to embassy delays | World News

Google, Apple warns staff with US visas against international travel due to embassy delays | World News

Published by Parlour News

The ‌advisory applies to holders of H-1B, H-4, F, J and M visas, according ​to Google’s memo. (File Photo) Alphabet’s Google and Apple have advised some employees on US work visas to avoid travelling abroad because of long delays in visa stamping appointments at US embassies, Business Insider reported on Friday, citing internal memos. According to the report, immigration law firms working with the companies said the delays are linked to new social media screening rules. They warned that employees could be left stranded outside the United States if their visa appointments are delayed or rescheduled. The advisory applies to holders of H-1B, H-4, F, J and M visas, a Google memo said. Some US embassies and consulates are facing appointment delays of up to 12 months, according to the report.Google and Apple did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Reuters. Earlier this month, the administration of USPresident Donald Trump announced tougher checks for applicants seeking H-1B visas for highly skilled workers, including reviews of their social media accounts. The H-1B visa programme, …

US visa update: Indians on H-1B remain ‘stranded’, Google warns employees against international travel

US visa update: Indians on H-1B remain ‘stranded’, Google warns employees against international travel

Published by Parlour News

The US government imposed new social media screening rules from December 15, which caused a great deal of chaos as visa applications faced protracted delays.  Hundreds of H-1B visa holders faced appointment cancellations and delays in visa processing, with some appointments rescheduled until June 2026 due to new vetting procedures. Several Indian institutes have reported multiple cancellations, delaying appointments till June 2026. Due to the recent situation, many H-1B visa holders have also been left “stranded” in India after coming back to the country to renew their paperwork. H-1B visa woes: Stranded Indians Over the past two weeks, hundreds (or possibly thousands) of highly trained workers faced appointments cancellation, as per the Washington Post. These H-1B visa holders returned to India in December to update their work permits, attorneys told the publication. Their meetings were abruptly canceled by US consular authorities and rescheduled for several months later, leaving them “stranded” in the nation. Also Read: US visa crackdown: New proposal to dramatically impact H-1B, PERM employment, ‘Workers should be watching closely’ The State Department also …

Donald Trump’s 0,000 H-1B visa fee draws legal challenge from California, other states | World News

Donald Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee draws legal challenge from California, other states | World News

Published by Parlour News

President Donald Trump speaks to guests in the Grand Foyer of the White House during the Congressional Ball. (Photo: AP) California and 18 other US states will file a lawsuit on Friday seeking to block President Donald Trump’s $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers, California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office said. The lawsuit in Massachusetts federal court will be at least the third to challenge the fee announced by Trump in September, which dramatically raises the cost of obtaining H-1B visas. Currently, employers typically pay between $2,000 and $5,000 in fees. Bonta’s office in a release said Trump lacks the power to impose the fee and that it violates federal law, which allows immigration authorities to collect only fees necessary to cover the cost of administering visa programs. The H-1B program allows US employers to hire foreign workers in specialty fields. The tech industry, with many companies headquartered in California, is particularly reliant on workers who receive the visas. Bonta, a Democrat, said the $100,000 fee would create unnecessary financial …

Who is Vahid Abedini? ICE detains Oklahoma University professor with valid H-1B visa

Who is Vahid Abedini? ICE detains Oklahoma University professor with valid H-1B visa

Published by Parlour News

Immigration authorities detained a University of Oklahoma professor of Iranian studies on Saturday while he was going to attend an academic conference in Washington, D.C., despite having a valid H-IB visa, as per his colleague. University of Oklahoma professor Vahid Abedini(X@joshua_landis) President Donald Trump campaigned on mass deportation of undocumented immigrants, specifically targeting those with violent criminal records, and his administration ramped up immigration enforcement since his return to office in January. However, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol are currently under heightened scrutiny due to multiple allegations of misconduct, aggressive tactics, and the detention of individuals who have the right to remain in the United States. The Trump administration is advancing its plans to execute what it describes as the largest deportation operation in US history, aligning with the Republicans’ stringent immigration policy. Also Read: US to end Optional Practical Training (OPT) program? DHS new proposed rule to impact international students Who is Vahid Abedini? All on arrested Oklahoma University professor Oklahoma University professor Vahid Abedini was apprehended on November 22 …

7,000+ Indian student exchange visitors overstayed in the U.S. in 2023

7,000+ Indian student exchange visitors overstayed in the U.S. in 2023

Published by Parlour News

Over 7,000 student and exchange visitors from India overstayed in the US in 2023, an expert told US lawmakers and suggested several reforms in the country’s immigration policies, including those related to H-1B visas. The H-1B visa programme has been instrumental in driving the growth of America’s tech industry over the past four decades (Getty Images/iStockphoto)(HT_PRINT) As many as 32 countries have student/exchange visitor overstay rates of higher than 20 per cent, Jessica M Vaughan from the Center for Immigration Studies told the US House Committee on the Judiciary during a hearing on “Restoring Immigration Enforcement in America.” The F and M visa categories have the highest overstay rates of any of the broad categories of temporary admission. The F-1 Visa allows a person to enter the United States as a full-time student at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution or in a language training programme. The M-1 visa category includes students in vocational or other nonacademic programmes, other than language training. “Four countries — Brazil, …