Latest news with #Passport
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
28 people from 15 countries were made Jamaican citizens - Here's why
On June 6, twenty-eight people from 15 different countries became citizens of Jamaica. The event took place at the Police Officers Club in St. Andrew. The Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) gave them their citizenship papers during a special ceremony, as per Jamaican information service. The new citizens came from countries like the United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Nigeria, Haiti, Poland, Belize, Cuba, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Myanmar, Trinidad and Tobago, Russia, and Nicaragua. Out of the 28, twelve people became citizens through naturalisation, seven through marriage, two by registration, and seven by descent. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr. Horace Chang, spoke at the event. He welcomed the new citizens and told them to help Jamaica grow and improve. Also Read: Trump's birthright citizenship order to face first US appeals court review 'Choosing to become a citizen of a country is more than just your legal status. It demonstrates not only your willingness to adhere to the rule of law, and to respect the values, responsibilities and legacy of our country, but to see our country as a place to live, work and raise your families and to be part of this great Jamaican family,' he said. Dr. Chang said that even though they came from different places, they are now all part of one nation. 'As a new citizen, you now share in the rights and privileges of citizenship: the right to vote, the right to participate in shaping our society, and the right to stand up for justice and equality. But with these rights come responsibilities to respect the laws, to contribute to your communities, and to uphold the values of democracy, freedom, and respect for others,' Dr. Chang said. 'You all bring unique experiences, cultures, and stories that will enrich our communities. Your decision to acquire Jamaican citizenship speaks to your hope and belief in the promise of this country. After all, out of many we are, indeed, one people,' he added. He also said the government is working on programs and plans to keep the country growing and doing better. In the past three years, PICA got almost 18,000 requests for citizenship. Dr. Chang said more people want to become Jamaican citizens, whether they have Jamaican family or not. Dr. Aung Thu Kha, who became a citizen through naturalisation, spoke on behalf of the group. He thanked the country for welcoming them. People can become Jamaican citizens in different ways: by marriage, registration (for people from Commonwealth countries), naturalisation (for others), descent, restoration, or in special cases where there's doubt about birth records.
United News of India
6 days ago
- General
- United News of India
Delhi Court grants permission for renewal of passport of former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal
New Delhi, June 4 (UNI) A Delhi Special Court on Wednesday granted permission for the renewal of passport of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, an accused in the Delhi excise policy case. Special Judge for MPs/MLAs cases Dig Vinay Singh after the hearing said, "The application by Arvind Kejriwal for renewal of his Passport is allowed, and this Court has 'no objection' if the Passport no. P 9686868 of the applicant, namely, Arvind Kejriwal is renewed for 10 years as per rules." The court said, "These are two different applications preferred by the accused Arvind Kejriwal in the above-mentioned two matters, separately, seeking 'no objection' for renewal of his Passport for another 10 years. The Passport is stated to have already expired and as per rules of the Passport authorities without there being a 'no objection' granted by the Court where criminal trial is pending, a Passport cannot be renewed." CBI opposed the request of Kejriwal by filing a formal reply, the Directorate of Enforcement has not given any formal reply, but had made only oral submissions to the effect that the renewal of Passport be not granted for a full 10 years. It is submitted on behalf of CBI that the norms followed in different Courts of CBI relating to such matters is that the renewal permission is granted for five years, it said. Counsel for Kejriwal submitted before the court that the renewal permission be granted for full 10 years as the applicant in any case has to seek permission to travel abroad, which he shall seek as and when he requires to travel abroad. "Presently, the applicant is not seeking any permission to travel abroad, obviously as he may not be planning to travel abroad in the immediate near future, but that too cannot come in the way of granting permission to the applicant for renewal of the Passport for complete 10 years. After all the bail conditions already prescribes that the applicant shall not travel abroad without formal permission of Court," the court said. "In such circumstances, the applications preferred by Arvind Kejriwal for renewal of his Passport is allowed.., " the court said. The court further said, "It is however made clear that the order of this Court shall not in any manner fetter the discretion of the Passport authorities in grant or refusal of the renewal of Passport under the Indian Passports Act and the relevant rules. The 'no objection' granted vide this order shall remain in force for a period of three months from today within which the applicant may get his Passport renewed. It goes without saying that the present order is not granting any permission to the applicant to travel abroad and if he ever desires to travel abroad for any purpose, he shall have to file appropriate application seeking such a permission." The Special Court had earlier issued notice to the Enforcement Directorate and Central Bureau of Investigation on the application of Kejriwal, who sought a no objection certificate (NOC) for renewal of his passport. Counsel for Kejriwal earlier submitted before the court that his passport has expired in 2018 and he has moved the application seeking its renewal for 10 years. In this matter the corruption case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 is being investigated by the CBI, and money laundering case registered under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act(PMLA) is being investigated by the ED. Central Bureau of Investigation registered the First Information Report (FIR) under section 120B of Indian Penal Code (IPC) read with Sections 7, 7A & 8 of the Prevention of Corruption Act (PC Act),1988, while the Enforcement Directorate registered Enforcement case Information Report (ECIR) under section 3&4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act(PMLA). CBI and the ED alleged that irregularities were committed while modifying the Excise Policy and undue favours were extended to the licence holders in this case. UNI XC RN
Hans India
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Kerala HC rules transgender parents be designated just 'parent' in child's birth certificate
Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Monday ordered that the gender details of Kerala's first transgender parents in their child's birth certificate be changed from "mother" and "father" to just "parent" for both partners. While the Pinarayi Vijayan government often says it is the first state government to have come out with a transgender policy, the transgender parents failed to get justice from the CPI-M ruled Kozhikode Corporation when they first approached it to modify their child's certificate, and then, took legal recourse. A bench of Justice Rahman passed the order on the plea by Zahhad, a transman (assigned female at birth but identifying as a man) and Ziya Paval, a transwoman (assigned male at birth but identifying as a woman), who are the first openly transgender couple in Kerala. "This writ petition is disposed of directing the fifth respondent to issue a birth certificate with the modification by removing the columns of names of father and mother and by incorporating the names of the petitioners as parents without referring to their genders," the court ruled. The transgender couple was in the news in February 2023 when Zahad gave birth to their child. The birth certificate of the child registered by the Kozhikode Corporation recorded the mother's name as Zahad (transgender) and the father's name as Ziya (transgender). Zahad and Ziya approached the Corporation to change the details in their child's birth certificate to indicate both of them as just 'parents' rather than mother and father. But the Corporation authorities rejected their request, and the couple then approached the High Court seeking relief. "Since scientifically there's some contradiction in the fact that a male is giving birth to a child, the petitioners requested the authorities to avoid the name of father and mother but simply writing 'parent' to avoid further embarrassment which the third petitioner (child) would have to face during her life time viz. school admission, Adhar Card, PAN Card, Passport and various other documents including job and connected matters," the parents contended. They also pointed out that the denial of such a certificate is a denial of their and their child's fundamental rights. Moreover, the denial of the new certificate goes against the dictum laid down by the Supreme Court in the landmark NALSA case. They further added that various other countries allow couples, especially same sex couples, to choose their title in their child's birth certificate from among 'mother', 'father' and 'parent'.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Passport Global Secures U.S. Customs License, Expands Brokerage Across All U.S. Ports
PALO ALTO, Calif., May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Passport Global, Inc. (Passport), a leading global ecommerce solutions provider, today announced it has been officially granted a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Corporate Customs License and National Permit. This milestone positions Passport among a select group of providers authorized to act as permitted licensed customs brokers across all U.S. ports of entry—enabling the company to conduct customs business on behalf of ecommerce merchants and unlock a new era of regulatory control, cost recovery, and trade compliance. "With the rise of cross-border ecommerce, brands are navigating increasingly complex customs environments—and too often doing it without a safety net or guide," said Alex Yancher, Co-Founder and CEO of Passport. "Becoming a licensed customs broker strengthens our ability to protect our customers, proactively manage their risk, and ensure they stay compliant every step of the way." Expanded Authority, Streamlined Compliance With this license, Passport can now file customs entries, represent importers, facilitate duty drawback, and offer critical compliance advisory services. These are activities restricted to licensed brokerage organizations under federal law (19 CFR 111.1), and include: File formal and informal customs entries directly into ACE Represent importers of record (IOR) and manage Post Summary Corrections Submit duty drawback claims for goods exported in the same condition Facilitate bonded shipments to bypass U.S. duty for in-transit cargo These services add to the solutions that Passport's Global Trade team of Licensed Customs Brokers has already been offering, including: Product classification consulting under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS) Customs valuation strategies, including transaction value, the first-sale rule, and intercompany pricing models Origin declaration guidance for USMCA and other trade preference programs Support for Partner Government Agency (PGA) requirements such as FDA, CPSC, and EPA Interpretation of CBP rulings, enforcement trends, and notices of action These capabilities come at a critical moment for ecommerce brands. Under Trump administration trade policies, including ongoing de minimis reform and new Section 301 tariffs, international merchants face increased cost exposure and compliance risk. Passport is doubling down on its role as a trusted compliance partner—building on the recent announcement of its patent-pending Seller of Record model and daily tariff coverage at "Securing this license is a significant milestone for Passport," said Traci Fisher, LCB, CCS, and License & Permit Qualifier at Passport. "It reinforces our commitment to delivering trusted, end-to-end customs solutions while ensuring compliance with U.S. regulations at every port of entry. Our clients can now rely on us to streamline their import processes, reduce risk, and navigate trade changes with confidence." Duty Drawback Facilitation and Recovery Many ecommerce brands importing goods into the U.S. and subsequently exporting them—as returns, replacements, or global shipments—are eligible to reclaim up to 99% of duties, taxes, and fees. As a licensed customs broker, Passport can now work directly with CBP to manage the end-to-end drawback process, including: Eligibility screening and drawback program setup Application filing for drawback privileges Data reconciliation and CBP-approved claim preparation Advisory support to optimize drawback strategies in high-duty categories such as apparel, supplements, and footwear "With margins tightening and tariff volatility increasing, duty recovery is no longer optional—it's a competitive edge" said Thomas Taggart, VP of Global Trade at Passport. "Our Global Trade team will help ecommerce brands recapture millions in paid duties through a turnkey, fully compliant drawback process." Real-World Impact for Ecommerce Brands For growing DTC brands, Passport's broker license unlocks faster clearance, fewer surprise fees, and expanded margin protection through duty recovery and bonded shipping options. "Unless you want to hire an international logistics and operations team, which is a huge financial investment and time commitment, Passport has proven to be the most effective as far as getting our products to customers and supporting, acting as an extension of our company and enabling our growth," said Max Christman, Supply Chain & Operations Lead at OneSkin. Whether acting as importer of record or providing product classification consulting, Passport's license adds a powerful new layer of control to its cross-border infrastructure. The company is on a mission to make international shipping as seamless and compliant as domestic fulfillment. Combined with its global DTC logistics network, marketplace integrations, and in-country enablement solutions, Passport delivers the end-to-end support and unmatched regulatory depth to merchants worldwide. About Passport Founded in 2017, Passport is a global ecommerce solutions provider that empowers merchants—like Dolls Kill, Ridge, Ogee, OneSkin, and HexClad—to grow profitably and confidently in over 180 countries. Combining innovative technology, global logistics, and expert compliance and growth support, Passport delivers the right solutions for the right markets at every stage of global growth. With in-house licensed customs brokers and international trade specialists, Passport offers a seamless, flexible experience—from cross-border logistics and in-country enablement services to duty and tax compliance—to help D2C brands unlock their full global potential. Users can learn more at ContactSr. Director & Head of MarketingCasey Logo: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Passport Global, Inc. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Epoch Times
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
US Issues ‘Do Not Travel' Warning for Venezuela, Citing Wrongful Detention, Terrorism Concerns
The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 4 'Do Not Travel' advisory for American citizens visiting Venezuela, warning of a significant and growing risk of wrongful detention in the South American country. In a May 27 There is currently no U.S. embassy or consulate operating in Venezuela. As a result, the State Department said Venezuelan authorities do not notify the U.S. government when American citizens are detained. The department said, 'More U.S. citizens are currently wrongfully detained in Venezuela than in any other country.' The South American country does not allow U.S. officials to visit detained Americans, and detainees are often denied legal counsel or access to their families, according to the State Department. 'Venezuelan security forces have detained U.S. citizens for up to five years without respect to due process, in harsh conditions—including torture—frequently based solely on their U.S. nationality or U.S. Passport,' the State Department said. Related Stories 5/28/2025 5/27/2025 U.S. embassies in 'Dual citizenship, a Venezuelan visa, past travel to Venezuela, or a job in Venezuela does not protect U.S. national travelers,' the State Department's alert states. 'Every American is at risk of being detained by [Venezuelan President Nicolás] Maduro's regime. Any American citizens currently in Venezuela have been advised to leave immediately. 'Anyone with U.S. citizenship or any other U.S. residency status in Venezuela should leave the country immediately, including those traveling on Venezuelan or other foreign passports,' the State Department said. 'Do not travel to Venezuela for any reason.' Venezuela recently The deportation process involved Honduras acting as a stopover for deportation flights of Venezuelans being sent from the United States to Venezuela. On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that there would be 'Foreigners who work to undermine the rights of Americans should not enjoy the privilege of traveling to our country,' Rubio said in a May 28
