Latest news with #UnitedStatesCitizenshipandImmigrationService
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
What is US citizenship test? What changes Trump administration is bringing to make it tougher
USCIS new director said the present US citizenship is easy and can be memorized. The US citizenship test, officially known as the Naturalization test, is an examination that an applicant has to take to become a naturalized American citizen. This test is not for green card holders unless they are applying for citizenship. The new director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service said the existing test is too easy and the answers can be memorized. The Donald Trump administration is planning to bring back the 2020 version of the test. US Citizenship test First, the applicants have to submit Form N-400 seeking for naturalization. They need to pass a background check and meet residency and other requirements. Then there have to attend an interview where they take two tests: English and a civic test. In the civic test, there are 100 questions; the officer asks the applicant 10 and the applicant must answer at least six correctly. During the first term of Donald Trump, there was a new rule for a very brief time where there are 128 questions; applicants are asked 20 and they must get at least 12 right. The USCIS is planning to bring back some version of this type of test. Before 2008, the test was random but the Bush administration introduced the 6 out of 10 questions benchmark. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Angola: New Senior Homes (Prices May Surprise You) Senior Apartments | Search Ads Search Now Undo USCIS director said the present version is not really "comforting with the spirit of the law". Sweeping H-1B changes The development regarding the US citizenship test comes as the Department of Homeland Security proposed sweeping changes for the H-1B visa program that allows US companies to hire foreign workers. According to the proposed changes, H-1B will not be for entry-level workers. It will be only for high-skilled jobs for which there will higher salary. If this becomes implemented, US graduates will not lose out jobs in the entry level and tech companies will not be able to hire foreign workers at a lower wage.
Newsweek
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Trump Admin Makes Major TPS Change
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) announced Thursday that it is scrapping fee waivers for some immigrants seeking to extend their stay in the country, including those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS). In an update to its "fee schedule", the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agency said it was lifting the option to file a form known as I-131 for free, meaning most will have to pay $630 to get travel documentation. Why It Matters The change comes as the Trump administration looks to tighten immigration controls and against the backdrop of TPS being revoked for hundreds of thousands of immigrants. Fee waivers have traditionally been offered to those who would struggle to pay, such as those fleeing persecution or dire financial situations in their home countries. USCIS offices in Santa Clara, CA, USA - Apr 30, 2022. Image for illustration purposes only. USCIS offices in Santa Clara, CA, USA - Apr 30, 2022. Image for illustration purposes only. Getty Images What To Know The change, announced Thursday afternoon, comes after USCIS teased that it would be making changes to the fees it charges earlier in the week. It appeared that more changes were still on the way, following the I-131 update. The agency said that two types of applicants will no longer be eligible for fee waivers when applying for what is known as parole. Those filing the form for: An initial request for arrival/departure record for parole in place (for immigrants who are inside the United States) Arrival/departure records for re-parole for immigrants who are requesting a new period of parole (from inside the United States), who were initially granted parole in place. Among those affected by this will be immigrants who have Temporary Protected Status who want to travel outside the U.S. and return without issue. If TPS status lapses or requires extension, then reapplying for travel documents would mean another $630 fee. The fee comes on top of the initial TPS application, form I-821, which comes with a $50 base fee, although some applicants will still be eligible for fee waivers. The revocation of fee waiver eligibility for advanced parole would not just apply to TPS holders, with any immigrant applying for longer-term status, such as a green card, needing parole in place likely having to now pay this charge. USCIS is funded solely through the fees it charges. In the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4, the agency was given permission to charge higher fees across the board, including for those applying for asylum. The last time the agency updated its fees was in April 2025, after almost a year without any changes. What People Are Saying USCIS, in a July 11 press release: "USCIS will soon begin to collect new fees for certain immigration benefit requests. We will provide details on the implementation of these fee changes in the coming days." What's Next The change takes effect immediately, with immigrants encouraged to carefully read their application forms to ensure they are using the correct version and are paying the correct amount in fees.
Hindustan Times
18-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Fired from your job? Here's what thousands of H-1B workers can do
The immigrant employee post-termination guide has been shifted to the digital archives of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) which suggests that even though it may no longer be applicable in the same manner, it's still available to refer to those recently fired from their jobs. When a non-immigrant worker's employment ends, either by choice or force, they typically either become beneficiaries of a nonfrivolous petition to change employer or file an application for change of nonimmigrant status, adjustment of status, or a 'compelling circumstances' employment authorization document. ALSO READ| What is USCIS's new policy for green card applicants starting from 11 June? Here's a rundown One of these actions is required to be taken during the 60-day grace period extended to recently unemployed nonimmigrants and is usually calculated based on the last day a salary or wage is paid. Failure to take any action during this period can result in a person being forced to leave the country either once the period ends or on their authorization date, whichever option is closer. The grace period is usually provided to help beneficiaries look for suitable alternative employment or allow their spouses to continue their job roles if they carry an Employment Authorization Document or are employment-authorized incident to status. H-1B visa holders caught up in such a situation can start their new job role as soon as their employer files Form I-129, rather than waiting for it to be approved. However, those filing for jobs in different classifications need to wait for approval which takes less than 15 business days to come through. Those under the grace period are not permitted to leave the country. Failure to comply may require them to seek a new immigration status for re-entry. In the circumstance of a non-immigrant worker being outside the country at a time when the notice period has ended, the grace period is no longer applicable. If the person returns before the lapse of their notice period, a discretionary grace period may be provided. Students in the US on a 24-month Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) OPT cannot acquire more than 150 days of unemployment during this period, including the post-completion phase and 24-month extension. Those on an F-1 visa cannot acquire more than 90 days of unemployment during post-completion of OPT since their visa status is attached to their employment. ALSO READ| Demand for H1-B visa continues, USCIS receives over 3.5 lakh registrations in FY26 The 60-day grace period is only applicable to those holding E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, H-1B1, L-1, O-1, or TN classifications (and their dependents).
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Man helped kill 11 people, mostly teens, in Brazil. Now, he's in US prison for perjury
A decade ago, a Brazilian man was part of a mass killing of primarily teenagers from impoverished neighborhoods known as 'The Slaughter of Curió.' But it wan't until 2023 that he was convinced and sentenced to 275 years and 11 months in prison. During that time, officials said, he lied on his asylum application and had been living in Massachusetts. Antonio Jose De Abreu Vidal Filho, 31, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to 16 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to two counts of perjury in February. On Nov. 12, 2015, numerous Brazilian military police officers, including De Abreu, participated in a mass killing event of primarily teenagers from the impoverished neighborhoods of Barroso, Messejana, Guajeru, Curió and Lagoa Redonda in the capital of Ceará. It was a little over a year after De Abreu first joined the Ceara State Military Police. The killings, officials said, were in retaliation for the death of another police officer who was killed attempting to defend his wife who was being assaulted. Eleven people were killed and many others seriously injured and tortured. A total of 45 individuals, including De Abreu, were charged by the Brazilian authorities. On Aug. 31, 2016, De Abreu was arrested and detained by the Brazilian police but was released pending trial on May 24, 2017. Two weeks later, De Abreu applied for a United States non-immigrant B2 visitor visa. When asked whether he had ever been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime, De Abreu responded 'no.' De Abreu's visa application was approved later that month. He eventually came to Miami on May 30, 2018. In 2020, he applied for asylum, and once again lied when asked whether he had ever been accused, charged, arrested, detained, interrogated and imprisoned in any country other than the United States, according to officials. He also failed to disclose his arrest and detention in Brazil when he applied for adjustment of status with United States Citizenship and Immigration Service. On June 25, 2023, De Abreu was convicted of 11 counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and four counts of physical and mental torture in the First Court of Fortaleza, Ceará. He was sentenced to 275 years and 11 months in prison. But he was already in the United States and an arrest warrant was issued. On Feb. 9, 2024, De Abreu testified under oath at an immigration hearing conducted by U.S. Immigration Court, claiming that he had never lied to immigration officials and that the only reason he had left off important information on immigration documents filed with the United States government was because he had not yet been arrested. After serving his perjury sentence in the U.S., De Abreu is subject to deportation. '90s rock band members have been 'sitting on' secret album for 12 years Mass. weather: More rain coming this weekend. Here's when it's expected to be dry 'Such a great loss': Cult classic actor dies at 73 Here's how long you can get Dunkin's new Pink Spritz Refresher for just $3 Scammer told her to withdraw $20K and stop talking to her family — so she did Read the original article on MassLive.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Elon Musk provides update on Donald Trump's $5 million gold card, says 'quiet trial' is going on
Elon Musk said 'quiet trials' are going on over Trump's gold card. Elon Musk Sunday confirmed that Donald Trump's ambitious gold card program is on track and a quiet trial is now going on. Musk was tasked to come up with the technical part of it -- to make a site where people can apply for this 'US citizenship-for-money' program. Musk provided the latest update on the program and said it will be rolled out to the public through an announcement made by the president. "It's the high-roller fast lane to U.S residency: no woke quotas, no endless backlogs - just cash, credentials, and country club-level vetting. Trump wants to sell 1 million of them. Lutnick says 1,000 already sold. Elite access. Elite minds. Elite price. Welcome to immigration, Trump-style," X user Mario Nawfal wrote. Operation Sindoor 'Our job is to hit target, not to count body bags': Air Marshal Bharti on Op Sindoor Precautionary blackout imposed across parts of Rajasthan, Punjab 'Indian Navy was in position to strike Karachi': Vice Admiral on Operation Sindoor In reply to this post, Elon Musk wrote: "We're doing a quiet trial to make sure the system works properly. Once it is fully tested, it will be rolled out to the public with an announcement by the President." Pay and get US citizenship Trump unveiled the first look of the card with his photo engraved on it recently. It was announced as part of a broader immigration system overhaul which would replace the existing EB-5 program. Under the EB-5 program, applicants must pay between $100,000 and $200,000 in fees to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), invest between $800,000 and $1 million, and create at least 10 jobs for American workers. Gold card will be available in just $5 million and these rich buyers will be exempt from paying US taxes on their overseas income, which means they will only pay tax on their income from the US. "It's going to be a route to citizenship, and wealthy people will be coming into our country by buying this card. They will be wealthy, they will be successful, they will be spending a lot of money and paying a lot of taxes," Trump said announcing the ambitious program. Trump's commerce secretary Howard Lutnick claimed in an interview that he sold 1,000 gold cards in a day.
