US First Lady Melania Trump issued a rare public political statement as protests intensified across Minnesota following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal border patrol agents. Speaking amid growing unrest in Minneapolis, Melania Trump called for unity and urged demonstrators to express their anger through peaceful means as tensions surrounding federal immigration enforcement continued to rise. In an interview with Fox News, the First Lady emphasized the need for calm and

A public school district north of Minneapolis has reported that federal immigration enforcement actions in recent weeks have resulted in the detention of four enrolled students, including a 5-year-old child, prompting concern among educators, families, and community members. Zena Stenvik, superintendent of Columbia Heights Public Schools, said during a Wednesday news conference that the in

The United States has begun implementing a new visa facilitation programme known as FIFA Pass as part of its preparations for hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The initiative is designed to help international football fans secure visa interview appointments more quickly as demand for travel to the tournament is expected to surge in the months leading up to kickoff. According to US officials, FIFA Pass is intended to reduce long wait times for non-immigrant visas by prioritising inter

Indian passport holders are facing new travel restrictions in 2026 despite an improvement in the passport’s global ranking. India’s passport rose from 85th in 2025 to 80th in the Henley Passport Index for 2026, reflecting enhanced global mobility. However, the number of countries Indian citizens can visit without a prior visa has decreased from 57 to 55. This reduction is due to updated entry rules in two countries that previously offered visa-free or visa-on-arrival access: Iran and Bolivia

Applications for the EB-1A employment-based immigrant visa, commonly known as the Einstein visa, have increased sharply as long backlogs continue to affect the broader US immigration system. The EB-1A category, which allows individuals with extraordinary ability to self-petition for permanent residency without employer sponsorship, has attracted growing interest from professionals seeking a faster path to a green card amid delays in other visa routes. The surge comes at a time when

The United States State Department is preparing to pause visa processing for applicants from approximately 75 countries beginning January 21, according to an internal departmental directive. The measure instructs consular officers to deny visa applications under existing immigration law while the department conducts a broad reassessment of screening and vetting standards. The pause is described as indefinite, with only very limited exceptions expected during the review period. The c

Australia has moved India into its highest-risk category for student visa applicants, a decision that will result in stricter scrutiny and longer processing timelines for thousands of prospective students. The change, implemented under Australia’s Simplified Student Visa Framework, takes effect from January 8, 2026, and represents an out-of-cycle reclassification driven by concerns over emerging integrity risks in the student visa system. Under the revised framework, India has bee

India on Friday said it was concerned about the fatal shooting in Minneapolis, citing the presence of a large Indian community in the United States and the broader implications of the incident. The reaction came amid growing scrutiny of immigration enforcement practices in the US following the death of a woman during a federal operation. Responding to questions on the incident, the Ministry of External Affairs said India was closely following developments related to the Minneapolis

Federal immigration authorities arrested more than 280 immigrants across Ohio during a multi-day enforcement operation conducted in mid-December, according to officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The arrests took place between Dec. 16 and Dec. 21 as part of what officials described as a targeted effort known as Operation Buckeye, which focused on Columbus and other parts of the state. The announcement of the arrests came amid growing public attention and protests

New Jersey political leaders are weighing in after a fatal shooting involving an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer that has triggered protests and intensified national debate over federal enforcement practices. The incident, which occurred Wednesday, resulted in the death of a Minnesota resident and has drawn sharp reactions from elected officials across party lines. According to video footage captured at the scene, ICE officers approached a sport utility vehicle that was

A fatal shooting during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis has ignited political outrage, community protests, and renewed scrutiny of aggressive tactics being used by federal agents in major U.S. cities. According to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were conducting targeted enforcement actions when a 37-year-old woman allegedly attempted to strike officers with her vehicle. A DHS spokesperson said the woman “

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A significant legal challenge to the steep increase in H-1B visa fees has suffered a major setback after a US District Court ruled that the federal government acted within its legal authority. The ruling has delivered a blow to business and employer groups that argued the move would restrict access to skilled foreign talent, even as the H-1B visa programme continues to face mounting pressure from stricter regulations and prolonged processing delays across the globe. The decision was i

The United States has announced a major overhaul of its H-1B visa programme, scrapping the long-running lottery-based selection system in favour of a wage-weighted model that prioritises higher-paid and higher-skilled foreign workers. The new rule, issued by the Department of Homeland Security, will come into effect on February 27, 2026, and will apply to the FY 2027 H-1B cap registration cycle, with registrations expected to open in March 2026 for jobs beginning on October 1. While

The administration of US President Donald Trump has announced a new financial incentive aimed at encouraging undocumented immigrants to voluntarily leave the country, offering cash payments and paid travel as part of a broader effort to accelerate deportations and reduce enforcement costs. The initiative, introduced ahead of the holiday season, is being framed by federal officials as a cost-effective alternative to traditional immigration enforcement measures. According to the Depar

The United States has paused the Diversity Visa Lottery, commonly known as the green card lottery, marking a significant shift in its immigration landscape at a time of heightened scrutiny over legal migration pathways. The decision, announced under the direction of the administration led by Donald Trump, has added to the uncertainty already surrounding work and study visas, particularly the H-1B pr

Japan is preparing for one of the most significant changes to its foreign labour policy in decades as the country struggles with a rapidly ageing population and a shrinking workforce. According to government plans currently under review, Japan is expected to accept more than 1.2 million foreign workers by March 2029 through a restructured visa and skill development framework. The move reflects a gro

Several major technology companies in the United States have advised employees working on H-1B visas to avoid international travel or return to the country immediately, as uncertainty grows around new immigration rules, higher application costs, and prolonged delays in visa interview appointments. The guidance reflects mounting concern among employers and workers about potential re-entry complications and extended periods of disruption caused by recent policy changes. In recent mont

Thousands of Indian H-1B visa holders who traveled to India in December for routine visa renewals are facing serious uncertainty after US consulates unexpectedly canceled or postponed their interview appointments. What was planned as a short visit during the holiday season has turned into a prolonged ordeal for many professionals, with several applicants now being told that their next available interview dates could be as late as October 2026. The sudden changes have left thousands stranded in I

The Trump administration on Thursday ordered an immediate suspension of the United States’ diversity visa lottery programme, citing national security concerns following deadly shootings at Brown University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The directive was issued by the Department of Homeland Security after authorities confirmed that the suspect in the attacks had entered the country through the diversity visa programme, also known as the green card lottery. Homeland Security