Latest news with #GreenCard
India Today
36 minutes ago
- India Today
Indian man pleads guilty to Green Card marriage scam in US
A 29-year-old Indian national living unlawfully in the US has pleaded guilty to marriage fraud aimed at fraudulently obtaining a Green Card, a patch to American citizenship. He overstayed his visa and falsified documents to support a fraudulent marriage. When the plan failed, he falsely claimed domestic abuse to remain in the US Attorney's Office has announced that Aakash Prakash Makwana pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft. Makwana was unlawfully living in Ronceverte, West Virginia. The 29-year-old admitted that he committed the offence as part of a scheme to marry a US citizen to evade US immigration laws, US Citizenship and Immigration Services said in a initially entered the US on a J-1 non-immigrant visa, intended for work in the hospitality and culinary fields. Since the visa was only valid for one year, he collaborated with others in a scheme to marry a US citizen in order to stay in the country illegally. The J-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that lets foreign nationals come to the US to participate in educational, cultural, or professional exchange programmes for a short CONSPIRED TO MARRY US CITIZEN TO GET A GREEN CARDAccording to court documents and statements made in court, Makwana arrived in the US on a J-1 nonimmigrant visa on November 23, 2019. As part of his guilty plea, Makwana admitted that he knew the J-1 visa was valid for one year and that he remained in the US after the visa was not extended and expired on November 24, August 2021, Makwana conspired with others to marry a US citizen for $10,000 (approximately Rs 8.32 lakh) so he could apply for lawful permanent resident status, also known as a Green was living in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, and working without legal authorisation. As part of the scheme, Makwana married a US citizen on September 3, 2021, falsified a residential lease agreement to make it appear that he and the US citizen lived together, and added the US citizen's name to his utility bills and bank accounts, the statement admitted he committed aggravated identity theft when he included the name and signature of the residential property's manager on the falsified lease agreement without the property manager's MAKES FALSE CLAIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCEAfter the marriage scheme fell through, Makwana submitted a Form I-360 to US Citizenship and Immigration Services, alleging that he was a victim of domestic violence and emotional abuse by his US citizen partner. Makwana admitted that he falsely claimed in the petition that he suffered domestic violence and emotional abuse at the hands of the US citizen he married as part of the fraud further admitted that he filed the petition to continue to stay in the US while his claims were considered and to increase his chances of obtaining a Green Card, according to the is set to be sentenced on September 26. He could face prison time, financial penalties, and possible deportation from America.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Why Indians are turning to EB-5 Visa for the US: What it is and who is eligible
As the Trump administration tightens limitations on student visas, more Indian professionals and students are considering the EB-5 visa as a different route to permanent residency in the United States. The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program was created in 1990 and permits foreigners to get a Green Card by investing in US businesses that create jobs. A minimum investment of $800,000 (about INR 7 crore) in a qualifying US business is required for the EB-5 visa, especially in Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs) that are rural or have high unemployment rates. The investment should at least create ten full-time employment for American workers. Applicants have the option of investing directly or through regional centres authorised by USCIS that oversee economic development projects. Read more: World's 10 tallest waterfalls that will take your breath away The tightening of US immigration policies has led to a significant surge in EB-5 visa applications from Indian nationals. Immigration lawyers report a 100% increase in applications from Indian students over the past few months. This uptick is largely driven by concerns over the stability of student visas and the desire for a more secure and direct route to permanent residency. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Soluções de energia de confiança para Data Centers de IA Siemens Energy Learn More Undo Investors can include their spouse and unmarried children under 21 in their application, in addition to the EB-5 visa offering a route to a Green Card. This option makes it an appealing option for families seeking long-term stability in the United States. Nonetheless, there are certain challenges associated with the program. According to reports, India gets roughly 700 EB-5 visas annually, which might lead to backlogs and lengthy application wait times. Due of the high cost demand, high-net-worth individuals are likewise limited in their access. Reports add that the Trump administration has responded to these restrictions by proposing a new "Gold Card" immigration program that would do away with the job creation requirement in exchange for a $5 million investment. This program aims to attract more affluent investors, but it has not yet received congressional approval and is uncertain legally. Read more: Schengen Visa for Indian passport holders: Application, cost, timeline & tips Despite these modifications, Indian people who wish to settle permanently in the US should still consider the EB-5 visa, especially in light of the nation's current immigration regulations and political climate. As the situation continues to evolve, potential applicants are encouraged to consult with immigration specialists to manage the complexities of the EB-5 program and determine the best paths to achieving their residency goals. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Hindustan Times
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Who is Anupama Nadella? All about Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's philanthropist wife
Little is known about Anupama Nadella, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's wife. But she has been the 57-year-old tech leader's support system throughout his life. Away from fame, she has faced multiple challenges in both her personal and professional life. Following her marriage, she fought gruelling visa battles and the tragic loss of a child. Anupama met Satya at the Manipal Institute of Technology, where she pursued an architecture degree. The power couple became acquainted due to their fathers' professional connections, as they both were Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers. This mutual civil service family background allowed them to form a connection, ultimately leading to their marriage in 1992. Shortly after their marriage, they went through a difficult phase in life due to the complicated immigration rules in the United States. At the time, Satya had a Green Card, but Anupama awaited her visa while still in India. As spouses of Green Card holders often faced delays before being allowed entry into the US, the Microsoft CEO gave up his permanent residency. Satya decided to let go of his Green Card and revert to an H-1B visa to reunite with his college sweetheart. Although the move shocked many, he did not regret his decision. In his 2017 memoir, Hit Refresh, the techie said that his wife 'was my priority. And that made my decision a simple one.' Although Anupama joined him in the US shortly after, her life did not get easier. Over the years, the couple welcomed three children together, including their late son Zain, who was born with cerebral palsy. Anupama dedicated her life to caring for Zain, who tragically died in 2022. He was 26 at the time. Despite the grief, she took on the role of a philanthropist and a public advocate for children born with severe disabilities. She donated $15 million to Seattle Children's Hospital to support precision medicine neuroscience and youth mental health care.
Hindustan Times
20 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
What is EB-5 visa? Indian students explore new path as Trump administration tightens immigration laws
An increasing number of Indians are now choosing a different path as the US tightens its immigration laws and current immigrants are subject to greater scrutiny under the Donald Trump administration. The Economic Times reported that immigration lawyers have witnessed over 100 percent increase in EB-5 petitions from Indian students in the last four to five months. With an investment of $800,000 (about ₹7 crore), overseas investors reportedly can obtain a Green Card or permanent residency via this EB-5 procedure. However, it has restricted only 700 sets for India. In contrast to other years, there has been a significant rise in EB-5 petitions despite the restricted number of seats. Also Read: Over 69,000 Indian students hit hard as ICE targets OPT program with strict warning letters Speaking to ET, Rajneesh Pathak, founder of the immigration law company Global North Residency and Citizenship, said: 'Unlike previous years, when we had most-ly H-1B visa holders applying, the interest from F-1 visa holders has risen by 100% over the last few months.' According to the study, the US Immigration Fund (USIF), which operates EB-5 Regional Centers, has witnessed a 100% increase in F-1 visa holders applying for EB-5 visas since January of this year as compared to 2024, when the majority of candidates were H-1B holders. The Donald Trump administration significantly cancelled the visas of more than 300 overseas students this year due to their alleged participation in 'campus activism' and 'engagement with anti-national content' on social media. According to reports, the US Department of State (DOS) sent emails to thousands of students telling them that their F-1 visas have been terminated and that they are required to use the CBP Home App for self-deportation. Indian students and H-1B holders are now very interested in pursuing the EB-5 visa path. According to the report, the majority of international applicants for EB-5 are in highly competitive industries including computer science, biotechnology, and finance. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services states that investors (as well as their spouses and unmarried children under 21) can submit applications for legal permanent residence (a Green Card) under this program. This is possible only if they invest the required amount in a US-based business; Plan to create or maintain 10 permanent full-time jobs for eligible US workers. Participants in this program are granted an employment-based fifth preference visa, which is called EB-5.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Indian National in West Virginia pleads guilty to marriage fraud and identity theft
A 29-year-old Indian national unlawfully living in West Virginia has pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft in connection with a marriage fraud scheme aimed at bypassing US immigration laws , according to a report by US Citizenship and Immigration Services . According to a statement from the US Attorney's Office, Aakash Prakash Makwana admitted to entering into a fraudulent marriage with a US citizen in exchange for $10,000, with the intention of obtaining lawful permanent resident status. The investigation received support from US Citizenship and Immigration Services ( USCIS ). Court records show that Makwana entered the United States on a J-1 non-immigrant visa on November 23, 2019. He acknowledged in court that his visa expired on November 24, 2020, and that he remained in the country without legal status after that date. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like At 82, she dances, dresses as she wishes and dismisses her 'old-fashioned' critics CNA Read More Undo In August 2021, Makwana began conspiring with others to arrange a marriage for immigration purposes. He married a US citizen on September 3, 2021, while living in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, and working without legal authorization. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) As part of the scheme, Makwana falsified a lease agreement to show that he and the US citizen lived together. He also added the individual's name to utility bills and bank accounts. Makwana admitted to using the property manager's name and signature on the lease without permission, which led to the charge of aggravated identity theft. Live Events RECOMMENDED STORIES FOR YOU Indian student goes missing in Canada days after arriving the country Trump's USCIS nominee targets OPT, raising alarms among Indian students in US When the fraudulent marriage did not result in legal status, Makwana submitted a Form I-360 to USCIS, falsely claiming he was a victim of domestic abuse. He admitted that he filed the petition to remain in the country while the application was reviewed and to improve his chances of receiving a Green Card. Makwana is scheduled to be sentenced on September 26, 2025. He faces prison time, financial penalties, and possible removal from the United States.
