Latest news with #UnitedStatesCitizenshipandImmigrationServices
Hindustan Times
10 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Many international students hope to launch careers in the US. Their pathways may dim under Trump
WASHINGTON — Since coming from China as a teenager for boarding school, Bob Zeng has imagined building a career in the United States. But as he prepared to graduate Thursday from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, it felt like the last chapter of his life in America. Zeng said he has been rethinking his plans because of the Trump administration's pledge to aggressively revoke the visas of Chinese students. Having completed a masters degree in science and management, he is thinking about moving to Europe. Or going home to China. 'I am worried about working here,' said Zeng, 30. 'You never know what's going to happen.' Many international students come to the U.S. with hopes of gaining work experience and returning to their home countries or pursuing a career in the U.S. But the administration's intensifying scrutiny of international students — and signs that formal career pathways for them may be closed — are leading some to reconsider their plans. Beyond the steps the administration already has taken — expanding the grounds for terminating students' ability to study in the U.S., adding new vetting for student visas, moving to block foreign enrollment at Harvard — a key nominee has raised the possibility of ending a program that encourages international students to stay and gain work experience. About 240,000 of the 1.1 million people on student visas in the U.S. are on Optional Practical Training — a one-year post-graduation period where they are authorized to work in fields related to their degrees. It can last up to three years for graduates in science, math and technology fields. President Donald Trump's nominee for director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Joseph Edlow, said during his confirmation hearing on May 21 that he would like to see an end to post-graduate work authorization for international students. 'What I want to see would be essentially a regulatory and sub-regulatory program that would allow us to remove the ability for employment authorizations for F-1 students beyond the time that they are in school,' said Edlow, referring to the F-1 visas on which most international students attend college in the U.S. The opportunity to gain career experience at U.S. companies, especially in technology and other fields where American companies dominate, has long been a draw of studying here. Many enter the H-1B visa lottery, hoping to be selected for one of the employer-sponsored visas that offer a pathway to permanent residency in the United States. Threatening practical training opportunities would have long-term consequences for the U.S. in attracting international students, said Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA, which represents international educators. 'We turn global talent away at our own expense,' Aw said. Like many international students, Marko, 29, finds himself glued to the news with a growing sense of alarm. His Optional Practical Training expires in a month, and he has applied for an extension but hasn't heard back, leaving him in limbo. Lawyers for the tech company where he works in New York City advised him to carry proof of his legal status in his wallet, which he finds 'dehumanizing.' 'The message being sent now is that: You are not one of us, and we are going to get rid of you,' said Marko, who asked that only his first name be used because he is worried about being targeted for removal from the country. He has lived in the U.S. for a decade spanning college and graduate school, but his family and friends back home have encouraged him to leave. His hope is that he gets the OPT extension and can then apply for an H-1B visa and continue his life in the U.S., but he also worries about anti-immigrant sentiment and who will be targeted next. In his first administration, Trump floated the idea of curtailing OPT, but that did not materialize. During the campaign, he suggested he would give green cards to foreign students who graduate from U.S. colleges, a sentiment that students and educators hoped would signal more welcoming policies for international talent. But since taking office his administration has cracked down on international students in several ways. In April, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement began terminating the legal status of people with student visas who appeared in a database of police encounters. Many caught up in that effort were on OPT, and had to leave their jobs or risk violating laws about working without legal authorization. ICE eventually restored students' status after widespread legal challenges, but not before some chose to leave the country pre-emptively, fearing deportation. In mid-May, some recent graduates received letters threatening to terminate their status if they did not update their employment records. While the letters gave them an opportunity to fix any reporting issues, it sent another wave of uncertainty through international graduates. This week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the government would move to revoke visas of Chinese students with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in 'critical' fields. Yurong 'Luanna' Jiang, a Chinese student who graduated Thursday from Harvard University, said in an interview that she had hoped to stay in the U.S. for a few years but she has been unsettled by the Trump administration's crackdown on visas. "In terms of the plan going forward, I would say everything is up in the air at this point,' said Jiang, who is now open to going anywhere in the world to work in international development. 'At this point, it's difficult to say what will happen.' Gecker reported from San Francisco. Toness and Associated Press writer Michael Casey contributed from Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Associated Press' education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. is solely responsible for all content. Find 's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at .org.
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Business Standard
20 hours ago
- Business Standard
USCIS says no citizenship for immigrants without good moral character
Want to apply for US citizenship? United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Wednesday warned, 'Applicants for naturalisation without 'good moral character' need not apply.' USCIS mentioned a case of an immigrant who entered the country with an active warrant for larceny – Grand Theft Auto – prompting authorities to be notified. 'Becoming a #NewUSCitizen is a great privilege – an honour granted to those who embrace values, responsibilities, and freedoms that define our nation, not a guaranteed right owed to all,' said USCIS in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Ketan Mukhija, senior partner at Burgeon Law, explained to Business Standard, 'In the context of US naturalisation law, 'good moral character' is a legal standard requiring applicants to demonstrate, during the statutory period (typically the five years preceding the application), that their behaviour aligns with the ethical and moral standards expected of the average member of the community. This goes beyond simply avoiding criminal convictions; it involves showing honesty, responsibility, and respect for the law, such as fulfilling tax and family obligations, avoiding fraud or deceit, and upholding civic duties.' What is naturalisation? Naturalisation is the process by which a Green Card holder becomes a US citizen. It usually takes between three and five years, depending on the individual's circumstances. Applicants must meet residency requirements, show good moral character, pass English language and civics tests, and take an oath of allegiance. The application costs $760, though military applicants are exempt. USCIS offers a $50 discount for online applications. Average processing time is around 4.9 months but can vary. What does good moral character involve? * Criminal history, including arrests and convictions * Compliance with tax laws and financial responsibilities * Honesty in immigration applications and interviews * Community behaviour over time Common reasons for failing to meet this requirement * Criminal convictions and aggravated felonies such as drug trafficking, rape, sexual abuse of a minor, or fraud over $10,000 * Unpaid federal or state taxes * Failure to pay child support * Lying to USCIS or committing immigration fraud * Habitual drunkenness, multiple DUI offences or substance abuse * Involvement in illegal gambling or prostitution For example, those with multiple DUI arrests may be asked to show proof of alcohol counselling or drug treatment programmes. Permanent bars to good moral character Some offences permanently bar an applicant from naturalisation, according to USCIS: < Murder < Aggravated felonies (after November 29, 1990) including crimes of violence or theft with prison terms of one year or more < Genocide, torture or particularly severe violations of religious freedom Aggravated felonies include: Murder, rape or sexual abuse of a minor Drug trafficking or illicit firearms trafficking Money laundering over $10,000 Fraud or deceit with losses over $10,000 Alien smuggling Document fraud or misuse of visas The US Immigration and Nationality Act defines each of these offences in detail. What is the naturalisation process? Application for naturalisation (Form N-400): This can be filed online or on paper. Military applicants and those seeking fee waivers must use paper applications. Biometrics appointment: Usually within a month of submitting the application. Applicants' fingerprints are taken for background checks. Citizenship interview and exam: Around 14 months after applying, USCIS conducts an interview and tests applicants' English skills and US civics knowledge. Oath of allegiance: After approval, applicants attend a ceremony, hand in their Green Card, and receive a Certificate of Naturalisation. Benefits of becoming a US citizen Becoming a US citizen brings several benefits. It grants the right to vote in federal elections and eligibility to run for public office, offering a chance to actively participate in the country's governance. It means freedom from repeated immigration paperwork and the chance to take up jobs that require citizenship, such as certain government roles. US citizens can also access government benefits like Social Security and Medicare, and they are protected from deportation, no matter the circumstances. Citizenship allows them to sponsor family members for immigration, provides automatic citizenship for their children, and grants a US passport, making international travel easier with visa-free access to many countries. For many Indians becoming a US citizen is a still a dream. Over a million Indians are currently waiting for Green Cards, with some facing decades-long waits due to annual caps and per-country limits. The Department of Homeland Security said in 2022 that there were 12.9 million Green Card holders living in the US, with 9.2 million eligible for citizenship.
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Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
‘El Funky will not be deported': Cuban rapper says his immigration case was reopened
Cuban rapper Eliexer Márquez Duany, known as El Funky, one of the musicians who performed on Cuban protest anthem 'Patria y Vida,' announced that his immigration case has been reopened after U.S. authorities denied his application for permanent residency. El Funky made the announcement on Saturday after media reported that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) denied his petition under the Cuban Adjustment Act of 1966 and gave him 30 days to leave the country or face deportation. 'To all my brothers and followers, I want to give you good news. Thanks to my legal team, my residency case has been opened. I have great faith in this government and the legal process. Also, regarding the rumors and fake news circulating on social media, we clarify that El Funky will not be deported,' the Cuban musician said on his Instagram account. His lawyer Miguel Inda-Romero commented, 'As I said from day one, our time was coming and @elfunkycuba wasn't going anywhere! Keep talking without knowing, cases are won legally, not by talking on social media! Thank you all for your support!' On Friday, Politico reported that Cuban rapper faced deportation from the United States and would likely be imprisoned in Cuba, given that his music helped fuel Cuba's largest anti-government protests in decades. The outlet reported that after his residency application was denied 'without any explanation,' the artist hired a new immigration lawyer and 'is now rushing to file an asylum application. His new lawyer told him there were 'errors in the original application,' but couldn't specify which ones.' Immigration authorities reportedly informed him that the request was denied because the criminal record he provided from the Cuban Ministry of Justice shows a 2017 conviction of 'one year and three months in prison' for the alleged 'possession and trafficking of illegal drugs and other similar substances' on the Caribbean island, according to the USCIS document obtained by Cuban news website El Estornudo. El Funky denied that accusation on May 16, saying that the Cuban regime 'fabricates crimes' against its opponents. El Funky along with Yotuel, Descemer Bueno and Gente de Zona (Randy Malcom and Alexander Delgado), received Latin Grammy awards in November 2021 for Song of the Year and Best Urban Song for 'Patria y Vida,' which became an anthem for Cubans who took to the streets in July of that year to protest against the communist regime. 'The most important thing is that this puts my life at risk,' the rapper told the Spanish newspaper El País. 'My life is in danger. They could fabricate a crime against me, and if I'm going through this situation, it's because of a crime also created by the dictatorship. I think the United States authorities need to study my case and realize the great harm they want to do to me.'
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
'Why Indians?': US man's H-1B visa remark sparks outrage, netizens ask him to 'change his outlook'
A man from Florida made a post online about H-1B visas, and it started a big talk about immigration in the US. The man, Sean Carpenter, says he is a musician and supports the Republican MAGA movement. He claims that H-1B visas are 'fraud'. In his post, Sean said he was sitting at the airport in Washington, DC, and heard three gate agents speaking Hindi. He asked why Indians are doing these jobs instead of Americans. H-1B visas are for skilled workers who do special jobs in the US. In his post, Sean wrote, 'Sitting in the DC airport, listening to three gate agents speaking Hindi behind me. Tell me why we need Indians to work the gates at airports again? H-1B is a complete fraud." Also Read: H1B visa renewal pilot program guide: Eligibility, how to apply and more The post gained mixed views from the netizens, where one of the users wrote, "Wouldn't being multilingual be an asset working at an airport? Your comment makes you sound like kind of a rube." Another user chimed, 'Person distressed by presence of foreign airport workers! Here are some options, a) try breathing exercises to relieve stress, b) change outlook in life, and if that doesn't work, c) stop air travel.' One of the users wrote, 'Wow this really triggered the hive mind, good job.' This post comes during a time when there is a lot of debate about H-1B visas. After Donald Trump became president again, many of his supporters said these visas take jobs away from Americans. But others say the US needs these workers, especially in areas like technology. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said the number of H-1B visa applications for the 2026 financial year went down to 358,737. That's a drop from over 480,000 in 2025, and it's the lowest number in four years.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Have a valid Green Card? You might still face deportation - Here's why
Holding a Green card is a dream for many immigrants, however thousands of green card holders are now scared due to President Donald Trump's stricter immigration rules. In a similar case of Green card, a woman was deported from Puerto Rico even though she had an approved Permanent Employment Certification (PERM). She had traveled outside the US but forgot to take her original travel permit with her. Her husband sent her a scanned copy, hoping it would be okay for re-entry. But when she arrived, immigration officers did not accept the scanned document. Without giving her much of an explanation, they sent her back. Also Read: Trump's $5 million 'gold card' gets a launch date: Here's when applications open online Now, things have gotten worse for the woman. Authorities are accusing her of fraud because she tried to enter the US with just a photocopy of her travel permit. Her immigration lawyer said they now have to start the PERM process all over again. This could take a lot of time—possibly months or even years. It also means more money, effort, and stress. This case shows how strict the US immigration system can be. Even small mistakes, like not carrying the original travel document, can cause serious problems. It's a warning for others going through the immigration process: even if your paperwork is approved, you must be extra careful. One small error can lead to very big consequences. Immigrants are often under close watch, and honest mistakes are not always forgiven. The system leaves little room for error, and people can suffer greatly even if they didn't mean to do anything wrong. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced that Green cards visas are 'privilege.' USCIS' commitment to security and the enforcement of our immigration laws is unwavering. Green cards and visas are a privilege reserved for those who make the U.S. better, not those who seek to destroy it from the inside.
