Latest news with #USCIS
BBC News
7 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Judge orders Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil released on bail
A federal judge ordered Columbia University student and activist Mahmoud Khalil to be released on bail after he has spent over three months in detention, US media Khalil became a symbol of the the Trump administration's high-profile crackdown on universities and foreign students when US Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested him in New York on 8 Khalil was a prominent voice during Columbia's pro-Palestinian protests last year, and his arrest sparked demonstrations in New York and Washington, District Judge Michael Farbiarz of New Jersey determined that Mr Khalil was not a flight risk, news outlets reported. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts.
The Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Here's what is being screened as Trump resumes student visa interviews
The State Department has resumed interviews for student visa applicants after a nearly month-long freeze. New guidance requires comprehensive vetting of applicants, including a thorough review of their online presence and social media profiles. Applicants may be instructed to change their social media privacy settings to public, and failure to provide requested information could impact their credibility. The screening process aims to identify indications of hostility towards the US, support for foreign terrorists, or unlawful antisemitic harassment or violence. These measures follow similar guidance from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and align with broader administration efforts targeting campus dissent, with officials having revoked hundreds of student visas.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Marrying for Green Card? Here's what USCIS warns could happen
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has hardened its crackdown on foreign nationals looking to gain fraudulent citizenship by marrying US citizens. Officials believe that this scam has now transformed into a full-scale industry and endangers the internal security of the country. Marriage green cards are considered the smoothest way to gain fast-track permanent residency in the US. In earlier years, any foreign national facing the risk of losing out on their legal status to be in the US could get a direct green card by marrying an American. After getting a marriage-based green card, three years of permanent residence in the country would grant them naturalization rights to become citizens. Although authentic marriages are permissible, the USCIS has doubled its efforts at recognizing those trying to gain illegal residence in the country through fraudulent nuptials. Marrying someone for money or immigration benefits, knowingly entering a fake marriage, and tricking someone into marriage using false pretenses all classify as instances of fraudulent marriage acts according to Herman Law Firm. USCIS has now revamped its efforts to separate what's fake from real by demanding intensive documentation and legal proof of the nuptials, starting with a marriage certificate. 'If you're out of status and apply for a marriage-based green card — or if you fall out of status while your case is pending — a denial could land you in deportation court,' said Abhisha Parikh, a US-based immigration lawyer, to Business Standard. 'This is a major shift.' The USCIS has an online portal where citizens can report their suspicions in regard to fake marriages for green card purposes. People can go as in-depth with proof while reporting a suspicion as they'd like, but the USCIS encourages them to give as many details as possible. A recent May 2025 case led to a 20-year-old Indian national, Aakash Prakash Makwana, pleading guilty to a count of entering into a fake marriage with a US citizen in exchange for money. Joint lease agreements, common bills, and bank accounts, trying to show the authenticity of the marriage, were proved to be fake in court. The risks for those engaging in marriage fraud have risen in recent years as the USCIS now prefers to refer certain cases directly to the immigration court, which increases the risk of deportation.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
Immigrants must pay back to America, act like guests: Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday backed stricter rules around legal immigration in the United States, telling talk show hosts that while he welcomes immigrants, they must follow the rules and contribute to the country. Speaking on The View, the former California governor and Austrian-American actor, who is also an immigrant, said, 'I just think the world of the great history that we have with immigrants in America. But the key thing also is, at the same time, that we've got to do things legal. That is the most important thing.' Schwarzenegger likened newcomers to guests in a household. 'When you come to America, you're a guest, and you have to behave like a guest… keep things clean, make your bed, and do everything that is the right thing to do rather than committing a crime, or being abusive,' he said. His comments come just weeks after the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a statement on social media warning that permanent residency and visas are privileges that can be revoked. On May 7, 2025, USCIS posted on X, 'Green cards and visas are a privilege reserved for those who make the US better, not those who seek to destroy it from the inside.' The agency also said immigrants must abide by US 'laws and values' to keep their status. Schwarzenegger on LA protests Schwarzenegger was also asked whether, as governor, he would have called in the National Guard to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Los Angeles. He did not answer directly but spoke about an immigrant's duty to contribute to society. 'You have a responsibility as an immigrant to give back to America and to pay back to America,' he said. 'Go and do something for your community for no money whatsoever… Give something back—after-school programs, Special Olympics, or whatever it is. Make this a better place.' Co-hosts of the programme challenged his remarks, pointing out that most immigrants are law-abiding and contribute in meaningful ways. '90% of the people who come here are trying to do the right thing,' said Whoopi Goldberg. Sunny Hostin added, 'Immigrants are less likely to commit crimes in this country than actual American-born citizens.' Reform over rhetoric Schwarzenegger also used the opportunity to push for a legislative fix, calling on Democrats and Republicans to find common ground on immigration. 'All of this is happening because we don't have immigration reform,' he said. 'Democrats and Republicans have to come together and solve this issue if they really want to be public servants. If they want to be party servants, and be party hacks, and be tied to their ideology, then it won't happen.' President Donald Trump, who began his second term in January, has already issued dozens of immigration-related executive orders, many focused on tighter border enforcement and deportation drives. According to policy analysts, the pace of orders under Trump's new term is nearly six times faster than during the same period in his first presidency. Immigration and crime The role of immigrants in society has sparked debate. In January, addressing Trump, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde of the National Cathedral in Washington said, "In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. 'The are people who pick our crops, clean our office buildings, who labour in poultry and meat-packing plants, who wash our dishes after we eat in restaurants, and work the night shifts in hospitals,' she said. 'They may not be citizens nor have proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbours. They are faithful members of our churches, synagogues, gurdwaras, mosques and temples.' Trump, however, maintained his position, saying, 'A large number of immigrants have come to the United States illegally and killed people.' He did not provide specific figures. Studies suggest immigration is not linked to increased crime. 'Immigrants in the United States commit crimes at lower rates than the US-born population,' according to a report by Migration Policy. Data from the National Bureau of Economic Research and state records from Texas indicate that most prosecutions of immigrants involve immigration law violations rather than violent or property crimes. "Notably, US-born citizens were ten times more likely than immigrants to be incarcerated for committing weapons-related offenses, five times more likely for violent offenses, more than twice as likely for property crimes, and nearly twice as likely for drug offenses," Migration Policy said in its report.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Rs 43 lakh for green card: How fake EB-1A claims are trapping Indians
The United States government is reviewing a growing number of EB-1A green card petitions filed under the 'extraordinary ability' visa category, with immigration lawyers in Houston reporting an uptick in fraudulent claims, particularly among Indian applicants. Reddy Neumann Brown PC, a Houston-based immigration law firm, said the category is now facing a wave of re-investigations and revocations. The EB-1A visa allows highly skilled individuals in fields like science, arts, education, business and athletics to live and work in the US without a job offer. Fake citations, dubious awards and journal scams According to attorney Rahul Reddy, several EB-1A applicants appear to have manipulated their profiles using questionable tactics. 'Some petitions have included publications in low-quality journals, coordinated co-authorship to inflate citations, and fake awards like the Stevie and Globee to strengthen their applications,' said Reddy in a social media post. Karim Jivani, an associate attorney at the same firm, wrote in a recent blog post that a rising number of foreign nationals—especially from countries with limited access to immigration legal services—are falling prey to unregulated agents and consultancies promising guaranteed green card success. 'These fraudulent services exploit professionals who are not familiar with the complexities of US immigration law,' Jivani wrote. 'They often target scientists, entrepreneurs or artists using native language marketing, fake client testimonials, and social media platforms.' Victims charged up to $50,000 (about Rs 43 lakh) for fraudulent applications Jivani noted that some agents charge anywhere between $10,000 and $50,000, promising near-certain approvals. In many cases, he said, applicants either receive petitions that are 'hastily prepared and riddled with red flags' or no petition at all. 'Once the money is taken, some disappear altogether. The applicants end up flagged by USCIS for misrepresentation, which has long-term consequences,' Jivani wrote. Some consultancies have reportedly gone as far as producing fake judging invitations, counterfeit awards, and orchestrated speaking opportunities at non-existent conferences to meet EB-1A criteria. Wider impact on genuine applicants The surge in questionable applications is also making it harder for legitimate candidates to get approved. 'When USCIS receives too many suspicious cases, they start raising the bar across the board,' said Reddy. 'That means even genuine applicants are facing more documentation requests, stricter reviews and delays.' USCIS, the federal agency that processes these applications, has not yet issued a public advisory on the matter. Who qualifies for an EB-1A visa? The EB-1A is a first-preference, employment-based immigrant visa. It is open to people who meet strict eligibility criteria in their field of expertise. Unlike other work-based green cards, it does not require a job offer or a sponsoring employer. To qualify, an applicant must either have: A one-time achievement such as a Pulitzer, Nobel Prize, Olympic medal or similar Or Meet at least three of the following ten criteria: Received nationally or internationally recognised awards Membership in associations requiring outstanding achievements Publications about their work in major media or journals Judged the work of others in the field Made original contributions to the profession Authored scholarly articles in respected publications Displayed their work in exhibitions or showcases Played a leading or critical role in organisations Earned a high salary relative to others in the field Achieved commercial success in the performing arts Self-petitioning and work plans in the US Applicants must also show they plan to continue working in the same field after arriving in the US. This can be demonstrated through: Letters from potential employers or clients A personal statement outlining work plans Evidence of continued professional activity Importantly, the EB-1A does not require a labour market test or employer sponsorship. Individuals can petition on their own behalf through a Form I-140 submission. Can family members also benefit? Yes. A successful EB-1A applicant can also include their spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 in the green card application.
