Hundreds of Indian professionals holding H-1B work visas have found themselves unexpectedly stranded in India after US authorities postponed visa interviews that were originally scheduled for December, pushing them to March, April, or even later next year. The abrupt decision has disrupted travel plans, employment continuity and family stability for many skilled workers who were visiting India temporarily and expected to return to their jobs in the United States within weeks. The sudden uncertai

Recent calls by some US political activists to reduce or eliminate the presence of Indian professionals in American workplaces have reignited a long-running debate over immigration, national identity and economic growth. Mark Mitchell, a US pollster who has promoted what he describes as a “de-Indianisation” consultancy, has become a prominent voice in this discourse. His arguments reflect a broader strain of nativism that has surfaced periodically throughout American history, often at mom

The US Embassy in India has postponed temporary work visa interviews scheduled for mid-December, triggering widespread concern among Indian professionals awaiting H-1B visa processing. The affected interviews have now been rescheduled to March and April 2026, according to communications sent to applicants and legal experts familiar with the matter. The unexpected decision has disrupted travel and employment plans for thousands of workers who rely on timely visa stamping to continue their role

Visakhapatnam has taken a significant leap toward becoming a major IT hub with Cognizant officially beginning operations at its new 1,000-seat facility in the Mahati Fintech building at Rushikonda IT Park Hill 2. Industry experts say this marks the beginning of a new growth phase for the city’s technology ecosystem. The development comes months after discussions held in Davos, where Minister Nara Lokesh met Cognizant’s leadership on January 23. The company approved its Visakhapa

American authorities have unveiled a proposal that would require foreign tourists from dozens of countries, including the United Kingdom, to provide a five-year record of their social media activity before entering the United States. The measure, introduced by Customs and Border Protection, seeks to significantly expand the personal information collected from travellers who qualify for the visa waiver programme. Forty-two countries currently participate in the programme, which allows short-te

The United States government has revoked approximately 85,000 visas since President Donald Trump returned to office in January, according to a statement shared by the State Department on X. The announcement described the cancellations as part of a sharpened national security agenda endorsed by both the president and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The message emphasized that the administration intends to continue its intensified oversight of foreign nationals as part of its broader commitment

The United States embassy in India has issued a new advisory urging all visa applicants to strictly adhere to the updated appointment dates communicated through recent rescheduling emails. The mission clarified that individuals who arrive on their previously scheduled dates will not be granted entry into any embassy or consulate facility. The reminder follows a series of appointment modifications across multiple visa categories prompted by internal adjustments to scheduling systems, and aims

The Occupational English Test, widely known as OET, has become one of the most recognised English-language examinations for healthcare professionals aiming to work, study or qualify in English-speaking countries. Designed specifically for the medical and health sectors, the test evaluates candidates on the type of language skills they will need in real clinical environments rather than in general communication. Managed by the Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment Trust, a collaboration betwee

The Ministry of External Affairs issued a firm message to China after an Indian national was reportedly singled out and detained for nearly 18 hours at Shanghai airport. The statement, released on Monday, underscored India’s expectation that its citizens travelling through Chinese airports must not be selectively targeted or subjected to arbitrary detention, and urged Beijing to ensure that international air travel regulations are respected without exception. The incident has intensified di

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Wednesday that radical Islamic movements represent a growing and consequential threat not only to the United States but to global security as a whole. Describing these organisations as revolutionary in nature, Rubio said their objectives extend far beyond holding limited territory, and instead involve expanding their influence across regions and cultures. He noted that the ideological framework guiding these groups envisions a broad reach

Indian applicants planning travel to the United States for study, employment or tourism are experiencing notable changes in visa wait times, with several US consulates across the country reporting shorter delays. According to the latest data from the US State Department’s Global Visa Wait Times portal, appointment backlogs for student, work and visitor visas now vary widely by location but show meaningful improvement compared with previous months. Applicants are being encouraged to monitor

The debate over the H-1B visa programme in the United States has sharpened significantly, exposing a deep political divide over the future of skilled immigration. The issue has grown increasingly contentious in recent months, with former president Donald Trump and several Republican leaders intensifying allegations of fraud and misuse within the system. Their claims have focused heavily on Indian applicants, with some prominent voices asserting that a vast majority of submissions from India a

State lawmakers in Texas are preparing for a significant policy shift as dozens of new laws take effect across December and January, adding to the more than 800 measures already implemented earlier this year. The latest round of legislation, passed during the regular session and the second special session, is set to influence major areas including education, public health, redistricting, immigration enforcement and criminal justice. Each law reflects ongoing political debates in the state and

Fresh attention has turned to longstanding allegations against Ilhan Omar, the Minnesota congresswoman and Somalia-born US representative, after online commentators revived claims that she engaged in marriage and immigration fraud more than a decade ago. The accusations, which first surfaced in 2016, centre on her 2009 marriage to Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, whom critics allege is her brother. Although no conclusive evidence has ever emerged, the claims regained momentum following recent remarks by

The United States has initiated a comprehensive review of Green Cards held by permanent residents from 19 designated “countries of concern” after a deadly shooting near the White House left one National Guard member dead and another injured. The directive, issued by President Donald Trump, instructs US Citizenship and Immigration Services to reassess existing Green Cards and tighten vetting standards for residents originating from these nations. Officials described the Washington attack as an act of terror, citing the suspected assailant’s Afghan nationality as a factor prompting immediate policy action. Under the updated USCIS guidance, agency officers may now treat an applicant’s country of origin as a significant adverse factor when assessing eligibility for immigration benefits. This marks a notable shift in the approach to immigration review, as the order applies not only to new applicants but also to long-term permanent residents whose Green Cards were approved under earlier administrations. The list of 19 countries includes Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. These countries mirror those identified in a June presidential proclamation that imposed full or partial entry suspensions. USCIS Director Joseph Edlow said the policy aims to strengthen national security by giving officers broader discretion to weigh security concerns. He emphasized that ensuring stringent screening remains a core responsibility of the agency, stressing that the safety of American citizens is paramount. According to Edlow, the updated guidance directly responds to the Washington shooting and reflects the administration’s belief that previous vetting procedures were weakened in recent years. The shooting suspect, identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, entered the United States in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, a resettlement initiative created after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Lakanwal had served alongside US Special Forces and spent more than a decade as a soldier in the Afghan army. Authorities said the incident has reignited debate surrounding resettlement programmes for individuals from conflict-affected regions, especially those relocated under emergency evacuation procedures. While the revised review process affects a wide group of nationalities, officials confirmed that Indian Green Card holders will not be impacted. However, immigration experts noted that the move forms part of a broader tightening of immigration policy that could signal further enforcement actions in the coming months. They cautioned that the directive underscores a continued shift toward heightened scrutiny of immigrants from nations perceived as high-risk, particularly in cases involving national security. The comprehensive review is expected to unfold over the coming months as USCIS examines existing records and evaluates cases under the strengthened criteria. Officials maintain that the updated policy is designed to close gaps in the vetting process, asserting that national security concerns necessitate more rigorous oversight of immigration status for individuals from the identified countries. The directive marks one of the administration’s most extensive actions on immigration security since the presidential proclamation earlier this year.

Several foreign-born spouses of United States citizens have been detained during routine green card interviews at the San Diego immigration office, according to recent reports. The detentions, which began on November 12, have affected dozens of couples who arrived for scheduled appointments intended to advance the process of obtaining lawful permanent residency. Instead, the interviews ended with federal agents escorting the foreign spouse away, often in handcuffs, on allegations of violating

Canada has taken a major step toward modernising its citizenship laws, offering long-awaited relief to thousands of Indian-origin families living abroad. The newly approved Bill C-3, which amends the Citizenship Act, has received royal assent and is expected to help people who were previously excluded from passing on Canadian citizenship to their foreign-born children. The legislation marks a major shift toward inclusivity and fairness, especially for families who live or work outside the cou

A 38-year-old woman doctor from Hyderabad died by suicide inside her flat after experiencing emotional distress over the rejection of her US visa application. The tragic incident came to light on Saturday morning when her domestic help alerted the family after repeated knocks at the door went unanswered. The family broke into the flat only to find her lifeless. A suicide note recovered from the scene reportedly mentioned that she had been battling deep disappointment and depression ever since

Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has announced that she will resign from the U.S. House of Representatives in January, bringing an abrupt end to her third term. The decision follows a heated public fallout with President Donald Trump, who recently withdrew his endorsement of the Georgia lawmaker after months of rising tensions. Greene, long known as a vocal Trump ally and one of the most prominent figures associated with the MAGA movement, confirmed her departure late Friday, m

The Supreme Court is preparing for a closed-door conference on Friday to consider whether it will take up a major dispute over President Donald Trump’s birthright citizenship order. The order, issued on the first day of his second term, declares that children born in the United States to parents who are in the country illegally or temporarily are not entitled to American citizenship. Federal courts across the country have uniformly blocked the order, preventing it from taking effect in any