US to screen immigrants for 'Anti-Americanism' in benefit requests
USCIS has updated its policy to include scrutiny of "anti-American" activity in immigration benefit requests. Officers will consider support for terrorist groups, antisemitism, and promotion of anti-American ideologies as strongly negative factors. Expanded social media checks will also be used to vet applicants, emphasizing that immigration benefits are a privilege, not an entitlement.
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US deploys three warships near Venezuelan coast in a bid to curb drug trafficking
The deployment comes as the Trump administration steps up pressure on Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, doubling its bounty to $50 million earlier this month on drug charges against the leftist strongman. US President Donald Trump is deploying three warships off the coast of Venezuela as part of efforts to curb drug trafficking, a source familiar with the move said Wednesday. The deployment comes as the Trump administration steps up pressure on Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, doubling its bounty to $50 million earlier this month on drug charges against the leftist strongman. The three Aegis-class guided missile destroyers are heading to the waters off Venezuela, the US source told AFP on condition of anonymity. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US media reported that Washington was also planning to send 4,000 Marines to the region. Washington, which does not recognize Maduro's past two election victories, accuses him of leading the Cartel de los Soles ('Cartel of the Suns') cocaine trafficking gang. The Treasury Department gave the group a special terrorist designation last month, accusing it of supporting the Tren de Aragua and Sinaloa drug cartels, which were labeled foreign terrorist organizations earlier this year. The White House said on Tuesday that Trump would use 'every element' to stop drug trafficking, when asked about the possibility of US boots on the ground in Venezuela. 'President Trump has been very clear and consistent, he's prepared to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country and to bring those responsible to justice,' Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said. Leavitt described the Venezuelan government as a 'narco-terror cartel.' 'And Maduro, it is the view of this administration, is not a legitimate president, he is a fugitive head of this cartel who has been indicted in the United States for trafficking drugs into this country,' she added. Maduro said on Monday that he would be deploying 4.5 million militia members across Venezuela in response to US 'threats.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Over 12K raids made to check blackmarketing of fertilisers: Agri min
1 2 Lucknow: Agriculture minister Surya Pratap Shahi on Wednesday said that as many as 186 people were identified for purchasing excessive urea, ranging from 1 MT to 2.37 MT, in Maharajganj. Speaking to reporters, Shahi said that some of them bought urea four to 13 times, for which investigations have been initiated. Likewise, in Siddharthnagar, many farmers were identified for purchasing urea up to 20 times. "Strict action will be taken against black marketing and hoarding," he reports of fertiliser allegedly being smuggled to Nepal from bordering districts like Maharajganj, Balrampur, and Deoria have also been reported. He said that statewide, as many as 12,653 raids were conducted to check the black marketing of fertilisers. In all, 91 FIRs were registered against people engaged in hoarding and black marketing. The state govt, he said, issued notices to 1,047 people accused of malpractices related to the sale of fertilisers. Shahi said that licences of 571 retailers were suspended and 1,196 were cancelled. Likewise, licences of 13 wholesalers were suspended and four cancelled. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Shahi also launched a scathing attack on Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, saying he had no moral right to speak on farmers' issues as they were denied timely sowing support and MSP during his tenure. The minister asserted that there was no shortage of fertiliser and a total of 15.91 lakh metric tons of fertiliser was available in the state. He said that the cultivation area under Kharif increased from 90.46 lakh hectares in 2013-14 to 105.93 lakh hectares in 2023-24. Thus, the area under Kharif crop increased by 17% to 15.47 lakh hectares. He pointed out that consumption of urea in 2016 was 23 lakh metric tons. This increased to 39 LMT in 2024. That is, the consumption of urea increased by 16 lakh metric tons in eight years. Shahi said the state govt will seek 25.45 lakh metric tons of urea from the govt of India. Availability of 37.97 lakh metric tons of urea is ensured, he 6 lakh metric tons of urea is available in stock for farmers. To ensure that the burden on farmers does not increase, the Centre has increased the subsidy. He said that while the actual price of urea is Rs 2174 per sack, farmers get it for just Rs 266. Likewise, DAP is available to farmers for Rs 1350 and NPK for Rs 1850. Don't store fertiliser, Yogi tells farmers Lucknow: Asserting that there was no shortage of fertiliser in the state, CM Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday appealed to the farmers not to store fertilisers. He asked the farmers to take fertiliser only as needed. The CM stressed that there was a complaint cell in every district where farmers can inform in case of any problem. The CM has also given a stern warning to those who overrate and black market fertilisers. He has directed the officers posted in the district to inspect from time to time, establish communication with the farmers, and resolve the problems. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Trump administration to vet immgration applications for anti-Americanism
Anti-Americanism will be 'overwhelmingly negative' factor Trump has used label on museums and protesters Immigration advocate likens move to McCarthyism WASHINGTON, - President Donald Trump's administration has said it will assess applicants for U.S. work, study and immigration visas for "anti-Americanism" and count any such finding against them, sparking concern about implications for free speech. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said in a "policy alert" dated Tuesday that it gave immigration officers new guidance on how to exercise discretion in cases where foreign applicants "support or promote anti-American ideologies or activities" as well as "antisemitic terrorism." Trump has labeled a range of voices as anti-American, including historians and museums documenting U.S. slavery and pro-Palestinian protesters opposing U.S. ally Israel's military assault on Gaza. "Anti-American activity will be an overwhelmingly negative factor in any discretionary analysis," USCIS said. "America's benefits should not be given to those who despise the country and promote anti-American ideologies." The announcement did not define anti-Americanism. But the policy manual refers to a section of federal law about prohibiting naturalization of people "opposed to government or law, or who favor totalitarian forms of government." The full text mentions supporters of communism or totalitarian regimes and people who advocate overthrow of the U.S. government and violence against government officers, among other factors. USCIS said it expanded the types of applications that have social media vetting, and reviews for "anti-American activity" will be added to that vetting. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, said the step hearkened to the 1950s when Senator Joseph McCarthy hunted alleged communists in a campaign that became synonymous with political persecution. "McCarthyism returns to immigration law," he said. Anti-Americanism "has no prior precedent in immigration law and its definition is entirely up to the Trump admin." In April, the U.S. government said it would begin screening the social media of immigrants and visa applicants for what it called antisemitic activity. Rights advocates raised free speech and surveillance concerns. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
