The office of Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee announced Friday that the anticipated surge in federal immigration enforcement across the greater San Francisco Bay Area has been cancelled. According to Mayor Lee’s statement, she received confirmation from Alameda County Sheriff Yesenia Sanchez that operations by the U.S. Border Patrol in the region—including Oakland—are not proceeding at this time. In her release, Mayor Lee stated that she spoke with Sheriff Sanchez, who communicated

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued long-awaited guidance on October 20, 2025 clarifying the applicability of the newly introduced USD 100,000 one-time fee on certain H‑1B visa petitions, bringing much-needed clarity for international students, employers and visa applicants. The fee, initially announced in a presidential proclamation on September 19, 2025, had triggered widespread uncertainty about whether it would apply across the board.  The origina

HOUSTON, Texas — A new statewide survey conducted by the University of Houston and Texas Southern University reveals that Texans remain deeply divided over former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. According to the findings, 51 percent of registered voters said they approve of the administration’s immigration approach, while 49 percent disapprove, reflecting an evenly split electorate on one of the state’s most politically charged issues. The survey highlights a

The streets of Chicago’s Little Village turned tense on Thursday morning as heavily armed federal agents clashed with residents during an enforcement operation near the Discount Mall at 26th and Troy. The scene unfolded amid growing public concern over the expanding presence of federal officers in local neighborhoods. Witnesses reported the use of chemical irritants, including tear gas and pepper bullets, while helicopters hovered overhead and residents recorded the confrontation on their p

Walmart Inc. has temporarily halted its job offers to candidates requiring H-1B work visas, according to people familiar with the company’s internal hiring policy. The decision follows the Trump administration’s recent move to impose a $100,000 application fee on new H-1B petitions — a significant shift in immigration policy that has prompted widespread reassessment among U.S. corporations employing international talent. The temporary hiring freeze primarily affects Walmart’

CHICAGO – Federal immigration officers working in the Chicago area will now be required to wear body cameras following a court order issued by U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis. The decision came after the judge reviewed video footage and reports showing the use of tear gas and other crowd-control measures during protests against immigration enforcement operations. The mandate aims to ensure accountability and transparency amid growing public concerns over the treatment of demonstrators and co

Thousands of Indian students studying in the United States are facing growing uncertainty over their post-graduation career prospects as new immigration policies and enforcement actions threaten the stability of the Optional Practical Training (OPT) and H-1B visa systems. The OPT program has long served as a bridge for international students transitioning from study to work, but recent developments suggest that this once-reliable path may soon become more complex and costly. The anx

A 64-year-old Indian origin man who spent more than four decades in an American prison for a crime he did not commit has finally walked free, only to face a new ordeal — possible deportation to a country he barely remembers. Subramanyam “Subu” Vedam’s story, marked by injustice, endurance, and hope, has taken another painful turn just days after his long-awaited release. Vedam was freed from a Pennsylvania correctional facility after a court overturned his decades-old murder c

Federal judges in San Francisco have sharply rebuked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for its handling of immigrant detentions, ordering the temporary release of dozens of detainees over concerns about violations of constitutional due process rights. The rulings come amid a nationwide surge in ICE arrests and a growing wave of legal challenges questioning the agency’s detention practices. The cases stem from a series of habeas corpus petitions filed by immigration at

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has expressed support for reforms to the H-1B visa programme in the United States but warned that the proposed $100,000 application fee could have serious consequences for innovation and access to global talent. Speaking in a recent discussion, he said the idea of tightening the system to prevent misuse was good in principle but added that such a steep financial barrier could transform the American dream into a privilege for the few. The proposed increase in H-

National Guard troops from Texas were seen on Tuesday at a U.S. Army training facility in Illinois, marking the most visible step yet in the Trump administration’s controversial plan to deploy military personnel to the Chicago area. The move has ignited a wave of political opposition and legal challenges from state and city officials who argue that the action is unconstitutional and politically motivated. Military personnel wearing uniforms with the Texas National Guard insignia w

Federal officers shot an armed person on Saturday morning in Chicago’s Brighton Park neighborhood after their vehicle was rammed and boxed in by multiple cars, according to the Department of Homeland Security. The confrontation occurred around 10:30 a.m. near South California Avenue and West 35th Street during what officials described as a routine patrol. The incident has since escalated tensions between federal authorities and protesters already gathered in the city as part of ongoing

Federal agents in Dallas carried out a large-scale raid targeting suspected human trafficking and unlawful employment activities at a local cabaret. On September 26, Homeland Security Investigations executed a criminal search warrant at Chicas Bonitas Cabaret with support from multiple law enforcement agencies. The operation resulted in the arrest of 41 undocumented migrants, the seizure of business records, and the confiscation of approximately $30,000 in cash. Authorities confirme

United States companies are increasingly exploring India’s global capability centres as rising costs and restrictions tied to H-1B visas reshape talent strategies. India, already home to more than 1,700 global capability centres, has become an important destination for offshore operations, offering businesses a way to maintain innovation and critical work in-house at a time of regulatory uncertainty. With over half the world’s GCCs located in India, the country has moved far beyond its ea

A video capturing a dramatic scene in downtown Chicago has gone viral, showing nearly ten Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in tactical gear chasing a food delivery worker through the streets. The clip has triggered heated debate online about immigration enforcement practices and the methods used during active operations in urban areas. The video was shared by Christopher Sweat, a media entrepreneur, who described the incident as briefly spiraling out of control. According

Restrictions on H-1B visas in the United States are expected to have a relatively small impact on the flow of remittances from overseas Indians back to India. According to a recent research study, the total losses are unlikely to exceed five billion dollars out of an eighty three billion dollar total inflow. This means that while there will be a direct effect on some families and professionals, the broader picture for India’s economy remains resilient.

Immigration enforcement in Chicago intensified this week as federal authorities increased their presence in the city, patrol boats were deployed along the Chicago River, and the arrest of a local tamale vendor sparked protests and community concern. The surge in enforcement has drawn attention from residents and advocacy groups, raising questions about the impact on immigrant communities. Federal authorities have described their ongoing effort as "Operation at Large," wh

Authorities are investigating a deadly shooting at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Dallas after a gunman opened fire from a rooftop, killing one detainee and critically wounding two others before taking his own life. The attack, which occurred early Wednesday, has intensified concerns about targeted violence against government facilities and individuals connected to immigration enforcement. Officials said the incident began when shots were fired at the secur

A tragic shooting at a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office in Dallas on Wednesday left one detainee dead and two others injured before the gunman took his own life. Authorities identified the shooter as Joshua Jahn, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound shortly after the attack. According to the Dallas Police Department, one victim died at the scene, while two others were rushed to hospital with gunshot wounds. Officials confirmed that the injured remain

The Trump administration has moved to overhaul the H-1B visa program, proposing to eliminate the long-standing lottery system in favor of a wage-based selection model. The Department of Homeland Security announced that the new rules would prioritize higher-paid and higher-skilled workers, significantly altering how foreign talent enters the United States. Under the proposal, applicants would be weighted based on the