Latest news with #H‑1B
Time of India
18 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
H-1B visa registrations drop 27% due to fee hike and policy changes
The number of H-1B visa cap registrations for FY 2026 has declined significantly, according to new data released by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services ( USCIS ). Only 3.58 lakh registrations were submitted this year, marking a 26.9% fall from the 4.78 lakh entries received in 2025. Compared to FY 2024, this marks a sharp drop of over 54%. Out of the total registrations this season, 120,141 have been selected for the next stage. The H-1B programme allows 85,000 work visas each year, including 20,000 reserved for applicants with US master's degrees. The programme remains vital for Indian IT professionals and US tech employers. The USCIS attributed the lower registration numbers to recent policy enforcement, changes in the registration process, and increased costs. The agency has taken action against fraud, particularly targeting duplicate entries. 'Based on evidence from the FY 2023 and FY 2024 H-1B cap seasons, we undertook extensive fraud investigations, denied and revoked petitions accordingly, and continue to make law enforcement referrals for criminal prosecution,' USCIS said in an official statement. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) The statement added: 'We are also reviewing the FY 2025 and FY 2026 data for any attempts to gain an unfair advantage through the beneficiary-centric selection process.' The agency said it will continue strict enforcement, including petition denials, revocations, and criminal referrals. Live Events MORE STORIES FOR YOU ✕ US tech company penalised by Department of Justice for favouring H‑1B visa workers over American candidates US: Social media post alleges Indians face frozen bank accounts before deportation; no official confirmation yet What's changing for international students in the US right now? « Back to recommendation stories I don't want to see these stories because They are not relevant to me They disrupt the reading flow Others SUBMIT The most notable policy change this year was the increase in the registration fee, from $10 to $250. This cost shift has deterred some potential applicants, particularly international students and early-career professionals. The changing mood around H-1B is also leading some to explore options outside the US. Countries like Australia, Germany, and the UAE are gaining attention. These developments may alter the flow of Indian students to the US. 'The ' American Dream ' of immediate employment at a high salary with full sponsorship of an H-1B visa will elude most foreign students.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
US: Social media post alleges Indians face frozen bank accounts before deportation; no official confirmation yet
A viral post on social media has triggered debate and concern over claims that some Indians in the US are having their bank accounts frozen before deportation. The post, shared on X, said, 'A lot of Indians are getting their bank accounts frozen before getting deported.' It went on to call the move a 'sure sign of deportation.' According to a report by the Times of India , the post quickly gained traction among users supporting strict immigration enforcement. The comments come in the backdrop of the Trump administration's renewed immigration crackdown, especially after the recent unrest in Los Angeles that followed immigration raids. While some individual reports have surfaced about migrants having their accounts frozen before deportation, there is currently no official confirmation that this is a standard procedure by US authorities. — nasescobar316 (@nasescobar316) Commenters on the post questioned the legal status of those reportedly affected. One user said, 'Many were given endless H-1B extensions as they were on a long waiting list for a Green Card… Trump has restored order and if your visa runs out, you have to leave NOW.' (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Another comment read, 'My husband works for a well-known company and apparently they have an Iranian employee who just got notice that he's being sent back… He told me another nationality, too, but I can't remember.' Live Events MORE STORIES FOR YOU ✕ US tech company penalised by Department of Justice for favouring H‑1B visa workers over American candidates India's Green Card wait: July Bulletin advances dates for many, potentially speeding up cases « Back to recommendation stories I don't want to see these stories because They are not relevant to me They disrupt the reading flow Others SUBMIT The speculation comes at a time when immigration enforcement is under intense public scrutiny. A recent video of an Indian student being handcuffed and deported at Newark Airport also sparked widespread reaction in India. In response, the US Embassy in India stated, 'The US welcomes legitimate travellers while illegal entry, abuse of visas or the violation of US law remain punishable.' There is no official statement yet from US immigration authorities on the viral claims regarding bank account freezes as a formal part of deportation procedures.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
US tech company penalised by Department of Justice for favouring H‑1B visa workers over American candidates
The US Justice Department has penalized Epik Solutions, a California-based tech recruiter, for discriminating against American workers in favor of H-1B visa holders. This settlement, the first under the revived "Protecting US Workers Initiative," addresses violations of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Epik Solutions must pay a civil penalty, revise hiring policies, and cease discriminatory advertising practices. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Pay $71,916 as civil penalty to the US government Revise its hiring and recruitment policies Undergo compliance training Cease the practice of placing ads that exclude US workers Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The US Justice Department has penalised California-based tech recruiter Epik Solutions for discriminating against American workers in favour of foreign H‑1B visa holders, as per a report by the Times of India. The action marks the first settlement under the revived 'Protecting US Workers Initiative.'An investigation found that Epik Solutions violated the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) by posting job advertisements that excluded US citizens and gave preference to H‑1B visa the terms of the settlement, the company has agreed to:The Department emphasised that this move signals stricter enforcement against discriminatory hiring.'Protecting American workers from unlawful discrimination in favour of foreign visa workers is a top priority of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division,' said assistant attorney general for civil rights, Harmeet K. Dhillon to TOI. She further stated, 'The days of the federal government looking the other way on American workforce protection are over.'The 'Protecting US Workers Initiative' was relaunched to ensure that US citizens are not unfairly excluded from employment opportunities . Epik Solutions' settlement is expected to serve as a warning to other firms employing similar practices.(With inputs from TOI)
