Indo American News

Category: Immigration

  • VFS Global Expands Consular Application Centres in USA; Unveils 8 New Centres

    VFS Global Expands Consular Application Centres in USA; Unveils 8 New Centres

    Inauguration of a visa centre in Edison, New Jersey, by Hon. Consul General of India, New York, Mr. Binaya S Pradhan, along with Amit Kumar Sharma, Head-Americas & Caribbean, VFS Global.

    • 8 new locations include Boston, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Edison, Orlando, Raleigh, and San Jose

    • These 16 Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) across the US will facilitate
    the Indian diaspora and other applicants across the United States of America with India Visa, Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI), passport application, renunciation of Indian citizenship, Police clearance certificate, Global Entry Programme (GEP), and
    Miscellaneous/Attestation services.
    • VFS Global is the exclusive service provider for visa, OCI, passport, renunciation of Indian citizenship, PCC, GEP, & Miscellaneous/attestation verification services for the Government of India in the United States of America
    The Indian Mission in the United States of America and VFS Global, the global leader in trusted
    technology services today jointly announced the launch of eight new Indian Consular
    Application Centres (ICACs) in Boston, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Edison, Orlando, Raleigh,
    and San Jose taking the total number of ICACs in the USA to 16, further enhancing
    accessibility and convenience to the 5.3 million Indian diaspora and those using the services.
    Furthermore, a new ICAC is scheduled to open in Los Angeles in August, increasing the
    network to 17 centers nationwide.
    These ICACs will serve as crucial hubs for a comprehensive range of essential services,
    including India Visa, Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI), passport application, renunciation
    of Indian citizenship, Police clearance certificate, Global Entry Programme (GEP), and
    Miscellaneous/Attestation services. VFS Global remains the exclusive service provider for
    these critical functions on behalf of the Government of India in the United States.
    The expanded network introduces several key improvements designed to streamline the
    application process:
    • ICACs will now be open on Saturdays, offering greater flexibility for applicants.
    • Return courier services are now incorporated into the standard service fees.
    • Services such as photographs, photocopies, and form filling will be available at no additional cost within the ICACs.
    • A broader range of consular services will also be readily available.
    Mr. Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Ambassador of India to the United States of America, said, “We are very happy to announce the opening of 8 new Indian Consular Application Centres. With the opening of these new Indian Consular Application Centres, our presence to provide extensive consular services and related delivery capabilities would increase and expand significantly. Besides, it will also make the delivery of these consular services faster and more accessible to a vibrant Indian diaspora. We firmly believe that people to people ties are the heart of India US partnership.”
    The centres will be equipped with world-class facilities aimed at providing an easily accessible and customer-centric application experience and will make the application process more convenient for travellers. These centres are expected to benefit the Indian community in the consular jurisdiction of the Indian Consulate in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington D.C.
    Amit Kumar Sharma, Head – North America & Caribbean, VFS Global, said, “We are honoured by the continued trust the Government of India has placed in VFS Global to support its diplomatic mission in the United States. These ICACs will play a crucial role in effectively catering to the growing demand for visa and consular services to India led by business partnerships, tourism and trade.”
    VFS Global is the first outsourced visa services partner of the Ministry of External Affairs (India) and has been serving the Government of India since 2008. In the United States of America, VFS Global has provided passport, visa and consular services on behalf of the Embassy and Consulates of India located across the country since 2020. At present, VFS Global manages Passport, Visa and Consular Services Application Centres for the Government of India in 7 countries: Australia, Iraq, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Switzerland, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom.
    About VFS Global
    As the global leader in trusted technology services, empowering secure mobility for governments and citizens, VFS Global embraces technological innovation including Generative AI to support governments and diplomatic missions worldwide. The company manages non-judgmental and administrative tasks related to applications for visa, passport, and consular services for its client governments, increasing productivity and enabling them to focus entirely on the critical task of assessment.
    With a responsible approach to technology development, adoption and integration, the company prioritizes ethical practices and sustainability while serving as the trusted partner to 69 client governments. Operating over 3,900 Application Centres in 165 countries, VFS Global has efficiently processed more than 499 million applications since 2001. Headquartered in Zurich and Dubai and majority owned through investment funds managed by Blackstone Inc, along with minority stakeholders including Swiss-based Kuoni and Hugentobler Foundation.
  • VFS Global Provides a Step-by-Step Guide to Mitigate Visa Appointment Fraud

    VFS Global Provides a Step-by-Step Guide to Mitigate Visa Appointment Fraud

    The meteoric surge in travel worldwide has opened a gateway for not just globe-trotting travellers but also for a shadowy underbelly of scam artists. As tourists give in to their wanderlust in what’s termed as ‘revenge travel’, many find themselves at the mercy of fraudsters preying on the increased demand for visa appointments.

    So, it is essential to be aware of common scenarios to protect yourself from falling victim to fraudsters who may deceive unsuspecting visa applications into paying money for booking visa appointments.

    Given this context, the following is the guidance from VFS Global, the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services specialists for governments and diplomatic missions, on ways to stay clear of scams such as selling appointments, issuing fake appointment letters, claiming to influence positive visa decisions, etc.

    Amit Kumar Sharma, Head-Americas, VFS Global

    HERE’S A QUICK GUIDE TO MITIGATE FRAUD

    Q1. Where should one head to book visa appointments?

    www.VFSglobal.com is the only official website to book visa appointments for the countries we serve.

    Q2. Is there a fee to book visa appointments?

    We do not charge any payment for scheduling visa appointments for countries we serve. Appointments are free and can only be booked at www.vfsglobal.com. There could be a nominal service fee to prepay for select countries. The availability of visa appointment slots is determined solely by the respective government. (Embassy/Consulate)

    Q3. Does VFS Global associate with third-party entities for visa facilitation?

    No, we do not work in association with any third-party entity. Applicants should beware of scammers and fraudulent entities or imposters who claim to be associated with us in any capacity or pose as VFS Global to dupe them. We are also working very closely with travel agent associations to educate and create awareness among travellers to beware of such kinds of fraud.

    Q4. Does VFS Global play any part in visa decision-making?

    The decision on visa applications, the visa tenure, and the timelines to process them lie solely on the respective embassies or consulates. VFS Global only handles the administrative and non-judgemental aspects of the visa application process. We have no role or influence on the decision of your visa application. Even if someone is opting for value-added services, it does not influence quicker or positive visa decisions.

    Q5. Does the company seek personal information or upfront payment via social media, email, SMS, or calls?

    We never ask visa applicants to share their personal information or make an upfront payment via any social media message, email, SMS, or call. If you have been asked to make payments to personal accounts to expedite your visa application process, you may be interacting with a scammer. We urge applicants to guard against sharing personal details unless the authenticity of the requester is confirmed. Payments should only be made through our official website (www.vfsglobal.com) or at our Visa Application Centre.

    Q6. How do you educate people on visa fraud?

    We conduct extensive social media campaigns to raise awareness about visa fraud and educate customers on how to identify and report fraudulent activities. Our sustained efforts over the past years have yielded good results. If you come to know that fraud is being perpetrated, we encourage you to contact local police and/or competent authorities and also to keep us informed by reporting the fraud at acco@vfsglobal.com.

    Q7. Does VFS Global offer immigration and job services?

    No, we do not provide immigration and job services. Applicants are advised to be cautious of scammers offering spurious job or immigration opportunities for money.

    Here’s a look at their Modus Operandi:

    • Scammers pose as fake employers or immigration agents offering jobs or immigration, falsely claiming to be from VFS Global
    • Using a fake ‘email ID’, they impersonate heads or key departments of the company and send fabricated job offer letters and official-looking documentation via email.
    • Often the email is sent from an ID very similar to VFS Global’s official websites and email addresses (e.g. using vfsglobal-helpline.com, instead of vfshelpline.com)
    • When the intended victim calls/checks the website on the communication, easily available masking software is used to clone VFS Global’s web page/mask phone numbers, so it appears that the call has indeed come from an official VFS Global line
    • The victim is then asked to verify the number on an official-looking website or even to submit documents at an ‘office’, leading him/her to further believe the caller
    • The call is backed by fabricated job offer letters and official-looking documentation sent via email
    • To show acceptance of the job or immigration opportunity, the individual is asked to make an upfront payment and share personal information, such as ID or bank details, to take things forward.

    Q8. How exactly do unsuspecting visa aspirants get scammed and how does one separate the real from the fake?

    The travel outlook is extremely positive. Given the high demand, VFS Global, through all its customer touchpoints has consistently urged applicants to apply for visas early to avoid last-minute surprises and most essential stay safe from grey operators. Some grey operators have been misusing the demand-supply gap and the pent-up travel desperation to fleece applicants by offering them visa appointments in exchange for money. Visa appointments are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis only at www.vfsglobal.com. Beware of fraudulent entities trying to sell appointments independently or in the name of VFS Global.

    Q9. What are the signs to know that you are being scammed?

    • You receive emails with job offers or immigration promises from fabricated email IDs via personal email accounts (Gmail, Yahoo, .co.in, etc.)
    • You receive a job offer from a company you have NOT applied to
    • You are asked to make an advance payment to a personal bank account with the threat of visa application rejection or deportation, or loss of the job offer
    • You receive pixelated, out-of-proportion VFS Global logo on fabricated offer letters/ contracts

    By staying informed and following the guidelines provided by VFS Global applicants can safeguard themselves from falling victim to visa fraud and ensure a smooth and legitimate visa application experience.

  • Family of Four Found Frozen to Death near US-Canada Board

    Family of Four Found Frozen to Death near US-Canada Board

    Jagdish (35), his wife Vaishali (33) and their children Vihanngi (12) and Dharmik (3) had hired one of many “agents” who advertise in newspapers and offer to get families into the US without valid visas (above). Photo below shows a border marker, between the US and Canada, just south of Manitoba. Photo credit: Vibes of India, Indian Express, AP.

    WINNIPEG: A family of four Indians from Gujarat — including a baby and a teenager — froze to death in -40F blizzard after walking for 11 hours through waist-high snow to illegally cross border into the US from Canada.

    Canadian police found the bodies Wednesday 33 feet from the border near Emerson, Manitoba, after the arrest of a Florida man Steve Shand, 47, on charges of human smuggling in the US, according to media reports.

    Searching officers found three bodies – a man, a woman and a baby – together and a teen boy a short distance away. It is believed they all died from exposure to the cold.

    Shand was arrested after a US Border Patrol in North Dakota stopped a 15-passenger van just south of the Canadian border and found him driving with two allegedly undocumented Indian nationals, the reports said.

    Inside the vehicle, officers found cases of plastic cups, bottled water, bottled juice and snacks with one of the adults carrying items for a baby, but there was no infant with the group, reports said citing US court documents.

    Later, the authorities came across another group of five Indian nationals who said they had walked across the border for an estimated 11 hours. A search was initiated immediately and Shand was charged with smuggling seven Indian nationals into the US.

    One of those people allegedly spent a significant amount of money to come to Canada with a fraudulent student visa, the reports said.

    Meanwhile, in New Delhi, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday he was shocked to hear about the incident and had asked the Indian ambassadors in the US and Canada to urgently respond to the situation.

    “Shocked by the report that 4 Indian nationals, including an infant, have lost their lives at the Canada-US border,” he tweeted. “Have asked our Ambassadors in the US and Canada to urgently respond to the situation.”

    In Ottawa, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calling it a “mind blowing tragedy,” said on Friday Canada is doing all it can to stop people-smuggling across the US border.

    “It was an absolutely mind-blowing story. It’s so tragic to see a family die like that, victims of human traffickers … and of people who took advantage of their desire to build a better life,” Trudeau told a news conference, according to Winnipeg Sun.

    “This is why we are doing all we can to discourage people from crossing the border in an irregular or illicit manner. We know there are great risks in doing so,” he continued.

    Canada, Trudeau said, was working very closely with the United States to stop smuggling and help people “taking unacceptable risks”.

    Meanwhile, a criminal complaint filed in the US District Court for the District of Minnesota charged Shand with human smuggling.

    Shand, a “suspected smuggler of undocumented foreign nationals, was arrested near the US/Canadian border for transporting two Indian nationals, who were illegally present in the US,” the complaint said. The two Indian nationals have been identified as ‘SP’ and ‘YP’ in the complaint.

    The complaint said that five Indian nationals illegally present in the United States were also identified and arrested around the time of Shand’s arrest.

    All the foreign nationals spoke Gujarati, a language spoken in Gujarat in western India. Most had limited or no English language speaking ability, the complaint said. There are significant Gujarati populations outside of India, including in Canada and the US, it noted.

    The family of four that was found dead was apparently separated from others while walking through blizzards and snow, according to one of the persons arrested on the US side of the border.

  • Huge Relief for H1-B Spouses from Biden Administration

    Huge Relief for H1-B Spouses from Biden Administration

    Washington DC: US President Joe Biden has permitted dependents of H-1B visa holders to continue working in the country.

    The measure had been brought in during the Barack Obama presidency in 2015.

    The previous Donald Trump administration had proposed to revoke it as part of his anti-immigration policy. The latest move is expected to provide relief to more than 100,000 Indian nationals who had moved to the United States along with their spouses for work.

    The rule allows qualied spouses of H-1B visa holders to contribute to the US economy.

    Over 90% of the 100,000-odd H-4 EAD holders are Indians, and over 93% of them are women.

    Advocacy groups had pointed out that if the work authorisation had been rescinded, it would have led to several thousand people moving back to India.

    “There have been multiple attempts over the last four years to rescind or overturn the regulations that grant work authorization or EADs to individuals on H-4 visas,” said Poorvi Chothani, managing partner at immigration law firm LawQuest.

    The previous administration had introduced a regulation in 2019 — ‘Removing H-4 Dependent Spouses from the Class of Aliens Eligible for Employment Authorization’ — and that was withdrawn on Tuesday, Chothani said.

    Several of the spouses who are in the United States because their husbands are working on an H-1B visa are highly skilled professionals who would have had to give up their careers if this rule had been implemented.

    “After four years of needless anxiety for H-4 EAD holders, this is welcome news. The Biden administration is moving fast on reversing or pulling back immigration regulations implemented during the Trump administration. It gives us all hope

    that maybe we will be able to see the reform needed in the immigration system, even if it is done piecemeal,” said Nandini Nair, partner at law firm Greenspoon Marder.

    In the financial year 2020, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services received 67,690 applications for H4-EAD, of

    On text messages, chat groups an which 52,470 were approved and 2,538 were rejected.

    This also includes renewals, although country-wise data is not available.

    As of March 2019, Indian nationals had led 110,649 out of 120, 514 applications for employment authorisation.

    There are, however, some clouds hanging over the H4-EAD programme.

    “There is still the risk of a negative court ruling in the Save Jobs USA case that is pending on this very issue,” Chothani said.

    In 2019, a US Court of appeals denied the abolition of the H4-EAD and sent it back to a lower court for further assessment.

    “In view of the withdrawal of January 25, 2021 it is very likely that the court case will be decided in favour of the H-4 EADs or there would be a settlement to this eect.

    However, until the case is decided there is still some risk to the H-4 EAD program,” she said.– Economic Times

  • Biden Administration Lobbied on H-1B Suspension

    Biden Administration Lobbied on H-1B Suspension

    Washington DC: A top India-centric American business advocacy group has urged the incoming Biden administration to ease the restrictions on H-1B visas and provide green cards to higher education students with science and mathematics degrees to meet the increasing demand for IT professionals in the country.

    On December 31, outgoing US President Donald Trump extended a freeze on the most sought-after H-1B visas along with other types of foreign work visas by three months to March 31, affecting a large number of Indian IT professionals who were issued visas by the US government for the fiscal year 2021.

    President-elect Joe Biden, a Democrat, has promised to lift the suspension on H-1B visas, saying Trump’s immigration policies are cruel.

    “It is more of a legislative issue. We have basically recommended to the Biden administration, one, is ease up the H-1B (visa), but at the same time, every STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) PhD graduating, should be given a Green Card, so that they stay and contribute from day one as a taxpayer and also to the growth of the economy,” Mukesh Aghi, president of US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum told PTI in an interview.

    “That’s the position, we still are very supportive of. And I think the sentiment seems to be the same with the Biden administration,” said Aghi, based on the interactions he has had with members of the Biden Transition Team.

    Biden is scheduled to be inaugurated as the 46th US President on January 20.

    Responding to a question, Aghi said the number of H-1B visas issued every year should be driven by the market demands.

    At this point of time, the current figure of 65,000 H-1B visas in addition to another 20,000 to those foreign nationals with graduation from a US university is quite inadequate to meet the huge demand of IT professionals in the US, he noted.

    Currently there is a shortage of 1 million IT professionals in the US. At the same time, he asserted, there is a need to ensure that the local job environment continues.

    Supporting the farm laws in India, Aghi said the three new legislations recently enacted are “the right thing to do.”

    Today the farmer in India gets 24 cents to a dollar for his produce, he said.

    In the era of technology, farmers need to have choices to be able to sell their produce to ‘mandis’ or to be able to sell to other geographies as well.

    The farm bill provides farmers with such an option, he explained. “It is just providing choices and in any economy choices are healthy. At the same time, if somebody is protesting diverse choices, in a peaceful manner, then we support it,” he said.

    But at the end of the day, in an agriculture-based economy, one has to figure out how to double the farmers’ income, expand job creation and improve productivity.

    “We strongly believe the farm bill supports that vision. People will object to it, but that’s normal in a good democracy,” he said.

    Aghi said the Covid-19 crisis and the current change in administration in the US provides India an opportunity to look at the Biden administration in a positive manner.

    “The crisis with China has brought to India the message that ‘we will not treat you as an equal partner’; sends a message to the leadership in India to look at the Biden Administration in a very, very positive manner,” he said.

    “It also sends a message to the Biden Administration that with the current scenario, which is a geopolitical one, India can be a reliable partner; India can stand up to the threat of aggressive China, which no other country has stood up to. Both countries have a common factor here,” Aghi said.

    “So, I think the current Covid-19 crisis where India can play a strong role in the vaccine production on producing cheaper generic drugs, not only for the US, but worldwide provides an equal partnership. I think India and the Biden administration will reach out to each other and come with some kind of an understanding early on, rather than waiting on and making sure that there is a win-win partnership here,” Aghi said.

    US lawmakers on Thursday formally certified Joe Biden as the winner of the presidential election — clearing the way for his inauguration on January 20. Republican Vice President Mike Pence certified the Electoral College count of 306 electors in favour of the Democrat against 232 in favour of outgoing Republican President Donald Trump. The tally followed the disruption of Congress.

  • Indian Consulate Provides Details of Outsourcing Vendor

    Indian Consulate Provides Details of Outsourcing Vendor

    Houston: Consulate General of India, Houston will accept online applications for OCI, Renunciation, Passport and GEP services through the new service provider, VFS Global.

    A service fee of US$15.90 (inclusive of all taxes) per application will be charged in addition to applicable Government of India fees for these services.

    The details of the VFS Global Application center in Houston are as under:

    VFS Global, 1001 Texas Ave, Suite #550, Houston, TX 77002

    Applicants are advised to send duly filled applications by post to VFS Global only after completing their application through their website: 

    https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind    

    It may also be noted that due to the ongoing COVID pandemic, there will be no walk-in service at VFS Global until further notice.  All applications shall only be dealt with by post.

    Visa: Emergency visa to the eligible categories allowed to travel to India as per the advisories issued from time to time by the Government of India. Visa applicants are requested to send an email to:‘visa.houston@mea.gov.in’ requesting for emergency visa.

    On receipt of the documentation checklist, applicants are requested to carefully go through the requirements relating to the different categories of visa before submitting their applications. The Consulate may request additional documentation in certain cases.

    Request for Miscellaneous Services (Attestation, Power of Attorney, Police Clearance Certificates etc.) can be sent to the Consulate through regular Post/Mail. These services are being rendered ONLY through regular post/mail. Applicants are requested NOT to visit the Consulate for any service.

    For procedure related to application for Emergency Visa and general information regarding other Consular Services please visit our website www.cgihouston.gov.in

    Please contact us for any query or assistance on the following helplines.

    Helpline number: +1-713-626-2148

    Emergency helpline number:+1-713-626-2149(for emergencies only)

    Email: enquiriescgi@swbell.net

    With 3430 application centres and operations in 144 countries across five continents, VFS Global serves the interests of 64 client governments. The company has successfully processed over 225 million applications since its inception in 2001, and over 98.07 million biometric enrolments since 2007.

  • India Allowing Entry of OCI/PIO Holders

    India Allowing Entry of OCI/PIO Holders

    New Delhi: The Home Ministry on Thursday further liberalised the visa restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic by allowing entry to all foreigners except tourists. Besides, the government has also allowed all Overseas Citizen of India (OCI), Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card holders and all other foreign nationals to visit India.

    Following the Covid-19 outbreak, only a certain category of OCI card holders and foreigners were allowed into the country until now.

    “The government has now decided to make a graded relaxation in visa and travel restrictions for more categories of foreign nationals and Indian nationals who wish to enter or leave India. Therefore, it has been decided to permit all OCI and PIO card holders and all other foreign nationals intending to visit India for any purpose, except on a tourist visa,” an MHA statement said.

    The MHA said OCI and PIO card holders and all other foreign nationals can enter by air or water routes through authorised airports and seaport immigration check posts.

    ” This includes flights operated under Vande Bharat Mission, Air Transport Bubble arrangements or by any non-scheduled commercial flights as allowed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. All such travelers will, however have to strictly adhere to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare regarding quarantine and other health/Cobid-19 matters,” the MHA statement said.

    Under this graded relaxation, the government has also decided to restore with immediate effect all existing visas (except electronic visa, tourist visa and medical visa).

    “If the validity of such visas has expired, fresh visas of appropriate categories can be obtained from Indian mission or post concerned. Foreign nationals intending to visit India for medical treatment can apply afresh for a medical visa, including for their medical attendants. Therefore, this decision will enable foreign nationals to come to India for various purposes such as business, conferences, employment, studies, research, medical purposes etc,” the government said.

    The government had suspended all visas on March 11. In June, the Centre allowed the entry of foreign minor children with at least one parent who is an Indian citizen or an OCI card holder. Entry of foreigners married to Indian citizens and single foreign parents whose children hold an Indian passport or an OCI card were also allowed. — Indian Express

  • VFS Global: New Indian Visa Service Provider in US

    VFS Global: New Indian Visa Service Provider in US

    Houston: The Indian Consulate in Houston issued the following news release:

    1. The existing service center of Cox & Kings Global Services (CKGS) located at  1001 Texas Avenue, Houston TX 77002 for providing outsourcing services for Visa, OCI, Renunciation, Passport and Global Entry Program (GEP) (Website: in.ckgs.us) will shut down its operations at close of business (1600 hours Central Standard Time) on Wednesday, 14 October, 2020.

    In this context, the following may kindly be noted:

    (i) Applicants can only submit applications on the CKGS website before the above deadline.

    (ii) Applicants must ensure that their documents are shipped to CKGS with suitable pre-paid return envelopes in a manner to ensure it reaches CKGS by 1600 hours Central Standard Time on Friday, 16 October, 2020.

    (iii) Any applications received after 1600 hours Central Standard Time on Friday, 16 October, 2020 will be returned to the applicants without processing.

    (iv) Applicants must ensure that they receive back the processed documentation from CKGS as it will not be possible for CKGS or the Consulate to take care of any returned envelopes. The responsibility is that of the applicant.

    3.   With effect from 19 October, 2020 VFS Global, the new outsource service provider, takes over operations (expected from 02 November, 2020), the Consulate will provide direct limited services only in emergencies. Applicants residing in the states of Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and Nebraska, covered by the Consulate General of India, Houston, are advised to follow the instructions given below to avail emergencies services:

    (i) Visa: Emergency visa to the eligible categories allowed to travel to India as per the advisories issued   from time to time by the Government of India.  Visa applicants are requested to send an email to: ‘visa.houston@mea.gov.in’ requesting for emergency visa. On receipt of the documentation checklist, applicants are requested to carefully go through the requirements relating to the different categories of visa before submitting their applications. The Consulate may request additional documentation in certain cases.

    (ii) Passport: For emergency passport services, applicants are requested to send an email to: ‘passport.houston@mea.gov.in’ explaining the reason. Only after approval from the Consulate, the application process must be initiated by the applicant.

    (iii) OCI: All OCI services will remain suspended till the new service provider takes over.

    (iv) Miscellaneous Consular Services: Request for Miscellaneous Services (Attestation, Power of Attorney, Police Clearance Certificates etc.) can be sent to the Consulate through regular Post/Mail. For procedure related to these services please visit: https://cgihouston.gov.in/pages/Mjk

    4. The contact details of VFS Global, service fees details, their operational hours, etc. will be published on the website of CGI, Houston in due course.

    5. Helplines: In case of any further query or assistance please contact the following helplines:

    Regular Helpline number: +1-713-626-2148

    Emergency helpline number:+1-713-626-2149 (for emergencies only)

    Email: enquiriescgi@swbell.net

    Website: www.cgihouston.gov.in

  • Federal Judge Hears Arguments against Trump’s H-1B Visa Ban

    Federal Judge Hears Arguments against Trump’s H-1B Visa Ban

    San Francisco: The future of U.S. immigration policy and the fate of thousands of H-1B, L-1 and other visa holders rests in the hands of a federal judge. Arguments were heard on a preliminary injunction filed by businesses against the Trump administration’s June 2020 proclamation to suspend the entry of foreign nationals on H-1B, L-1, H-2B and (most) J-1 temporary visas. The critical question before District Judge Jeffrey S. White: Does the president possess essentially unlimited power to override immigration laws passed by Congress and block any visa holder from entering the United States?

    At the September 11, 2020, hearing in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Paul Hughes of McDermott Will & Emery, counsel for the plaintiffs, framed the issues before the court as follows: If Congress delegated unlimited authority to the president under Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. § 1182(f)), the law is unconstitutional as an unlawful delegation of authority by Congress. If the authority is not unlimited, then there are limits to the president’s authority based on rational standards, the Supreme Court’s decision in Trump v. Hawaii and the 9th Circuit decision in Doe v. Trump.

    “I think the principle is there ultimately has to be a reasonable connection between the stated problem and the action that is ultimately taken,” said Hughes. The plaintiffs in the case are the National Association of Manufacturers, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Retail Federation, TechNet and Intrax.

    The plaintiffs focused on the Trump administration’s claim the proclamation is a reasonable use of the president’s authority under Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). “The Proclamation exceeds the President’s powers under Section 212(f) because it directly conflicts with congressional judgments embedded in the INA: Congress specified that certain guest worker programs are in the national interest, but, for more than six months, the Proclamation nullifies those statutes,” according to the plaintiffs’ reply brief in support of the motion for preliminary injunction. “And, in so doing, the Proclamation fails to make a reasonable finding, which the Ninth Circuit holds is requisite for the use of Section 212(f) to address a domestic problem. These limitations are essential to ensure that Section 212(f) effects a bounded – and thus constitutional – delegation of authority to the Executive.”

    The plaintiffs’ focus may have improved the chances for the judge to grant a preliminary injunction. “The plaintiffs did a good job identifying one of the contradictions in the government’s defense,” said Greg Siskind of Siskind Susser in an interview. “The government argues that Section 212(f) gives the president extremely broad power to ban people. But if you buy that argument and that Congress’ immigration framework can be ignored, then this is an unconstitutional delegation of the Constitution’s requirement that Congress regulate immigration.” — Forbes

  • A 6-year-old Girl from India Dies after Crossing the US-Mexico Border

    A 6-year-old Girl from India Dies after Crossing the US-Mexico Border

    A US border security agent questions illegal immigrants at the southern border.

    HOUSTON: On the day she died, the little girl was thousands of miles away from the country where she was born.

    US Border Patrol agents found her remains this week in an area officials describe as “rugged desert wilderness,” 17 miles west of Lukeville, Arizona. In a statement Thursday, US Customs and Border Protection said the deceased child was believed to be a citizen of India, and that she had been traveling in a group reportedly dropped off near the border “by human smugglers who ordered the group to cross in the dangerous and austere location.”

    An Arizona medical examiner said Friday that 6-year-old Gurupreet Kaur had died of hyperthermia. Temperatures in the area where agents found her remains Wednesday hovered around 108 degrees.

    Her death highlights a rarely discussed reality that’s been playing out at the US-Mexico border in recent years: A growing number of migrants from India have been crossing there.
    The number of Indian nationals apprehended at the Southwest border has been steadily climbing, and sharply increased last year, according to Border Patrol statistics. In the 2018 fiscal year, 8,997 people from India were apprehended at the Southwest border — more than triple the number from the year before, when 2,943 Indian migrants were apprehended.

    That’s still a small percentage — about 2% of the overall number of migrants apprehended at the Southwest border in fiscal year 2018. The clear majority of migrants apprehended at the border came from Latin American countries, largely from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.

    But the increase in Indians apprehended is notable. And it’s part of a larger trend.

    “There has been a pretty significant increase in general in migrants coming from other continents. It’s not just Indians, says Jessica Bolter, a research assistant at the Migration Policy Institute who tracks migration patterns at the border. An increase in Indian nationals and other migrants from outside the Western Hemisphere illegally crossing the US-Mexico border has been “an emerging trend for the past few years,” a Department of Homeland Security official told CNN.

    The apprehensions of migrants from Bangladesh at the southwest border also increased significantly.

  • Ending country cap in Green Cards may allow India to dominate path to US citizenship: Report

    Ending country cap in Green Cards may allow India to dominate path to US citizenship: Report

    WASHINGTON: Eliminating the country quota from the most sought-after Green Cards  will end the current discrimination in the US labour market, but would allow countries like India and China to dominate the path to American citizenship, according to the latest Congressional report.

    Having a Green Card allows a person to live and work permanently in the United States.

     

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    Credit: economictimes.indiatimes.com

  • 50% rise in Canadian citizenship for Indians this year

    50% rise in Canadian citizenship for Indians this year

    Unlike a permanent residency, a citizenship grants more benefits, such as greater mobility, eligibility to work in the government sector.

    MUMBAI: Indians residing in Canada  are taking their immigration journey a step forward, with several thousands opting for Canadian citizenship, after having lived in the country for the specified duration as permanent residents.

    Responding to a request from TOI, Canadian authorities shared some statistics. During the 10-month period ending October 2018, nearly 15,000-odd Indians obtained citizenship. If compared with 2017, it’s a steep rise of 50%.

     

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    Credit: economictimes.indiatimes.com

     

  • New H-1B visa lottery process may hit immigrants

    New H-1B visa lottery process may hit immigrants

    It is feared that the new rule will give more leeway to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services in deciding who can work in America.
    It is feared that the new rule will give more leeway to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services in deciding who can work in America.

    MUMBAI: From April, the filing season for the H-1B applications, companies hiring foreigners to work in the US through this popular work visa route will have to pre-register electronically for the annual H-1B  lottery, and then file ‘full-fledged applications’ (referred to as petitions) for the winners.

    Currently, petitions have to be filed upfront, together with all supporting evidence, just for entry into the lottery. The documentation is exhaustive, especially for employers, like IT service companies, who place their H-1B employees at client sites. The change will result in significant savings of administrative costs for the sponsoring companies (those hiring foreign employees). The move has been approved by the US Office of Management and Budgeta unit of the US president’s executive office.

     

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    Credit: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

  • Legislation in US Congress to protect work authorisation of H1B spouses

    As Trump tightens H1-B visa rules, US companies seek only US citizens for jobs
    As Trump tightens H1-B visa rules, US companies seek only US citizens for jobs

    By Lalit K Jha 

    WASHINGTON: A legislation seeking to prohibit the Trump administration from revoking the work authorisation of spouses of H1-B visa holders, which include Indians, has been introduced in the US Congress by two lawmakers who said that eliminating this benefit would force many foreign workers to use their talents to compete against American businesses. H-4 visas are issued to the spouses of H-1B foreign workers. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa through which many Indians workers are employed in US companies. It allows the US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. It is the most sought-after visa among Indian IT professionals.

    H-4 visas are issued only to very close or immediate family members of the H-1B visa holders. The move by lawmakers Anna G Eshoo and Zoe Lofgren to introduce the H-4 Employment Protection Act, comes amidst determination by the Trump administration to revoke an Obama-era rule that extends work authorisation to the spouses of H-1B visa holders.

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    Credit: indianexpress.com

  • H-1B: Trump’s latest visa proposal and its impact on India

    H-1B: Trump’s latest visa proposal and its impact on India

    US President Donald Trump. Photo: AFP
    US President Donald Trump. Photo: AFP

    After facing a huge backlash from the top US lawmakers and leaders of the corporate sector, Trump administration has assured that the Americans would get an opportunity to respond to its proposal of revoking work authorization to H-4 spouse visas. The Donald Trump administration has been tightening the H-1B visas rules, which allow foreign workers to take jobs in the US for several years.

    The Trump administration’s latest visa proposals will have a huge impact on Indian residents as every three out of every four H-1B visa holders are Indian citizens.

     

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    Credit: livemint.com

     

  • Band, baaja, baarat smoothens entry in US for Indian spouses

    Band, baaja, baarat smoothens entry in US for Indian spouses

    IMMIGRATION
    MUMBAI:     A big fat Indian wedding invariably convinces US consulate officials in India that the marriage was genuine and the bride was not angling for a US green card. Kavita Dixit (name changed), whose wedding was conducted on a much smaller scale as a matter of choice, found herself facing strange questions.

    Marriage to a permanent resident in the US, be it a green card holder or a US citizen, does not mean that the India-based spouse can board the next flight. There is a waiting period involved and the first step is tackling the interview.

     

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    Credit: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

  • People legally waiting for US migration to be admitted soon: Donald Trump

    People legally waiting for US migration to be admitted soon: Donald Trump

    Trump said, "Their laws are no good...we have laws that are the laughingstock of the world because of the Democrats."
    Trump said, “Their laws are no good…we have laws that are the laughingstock of the world because of the Democrats.”

    US President Donald Trump  has said “millions of people” who are waiting for legal immigration to America will be admitted soon.

    Addressing an election rally in North Carolina  on Friday, Trump said he wants “a strong border”.

     

     

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    Credit: economictimes.indiatimes.com

  • UK set to double health surcharge from Dec for non-EU citizens, Indians

    UK set to double health surcharge from Dec for non-EU citizens, Indians

    IMMIGRATION
    LONDON:     The UK government is all set to double the immigration health surcharge (IHS) from December, which will increase the overall visa fees for the citizens, students, professionals and family members from the non-European Union countries, including India. 

    The IHS, introduced in April 2015, will rise from 200 pounds to 400 pounds per year, with the discounted rate for students increasing from 150 pounds to 300 pounds, the UK Home Office said, as the proposal announced earlier this year was put before Parliament this week.

     

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    Credit: economictimes.indiatimes.com

     
  • Sponsoring green card for parents to get tougher

    Sponsoring green card for parents to get tougher

    The percentage of green cards obtained via family sponsorship is high, which means the draft proposal will dent family immigration.
    The percentage of green cards obtained via family sponsorship is high, which means the draft proposal will dent family immigration.

    MUMBAI: A draft proposal of the Trump administration dealing with “public charge” is heavily skewed in favour of the wealthy when it comes to issuing green cards to those already in the United States. Contrary to popular perception, several Indians, especially the parents of US citizens, would be adversely impacted. 

    The proposal makes it mandatory for those filing for a status change to green card to submit the proposed new Form I-944. This enables authorities to collate a plethora of data, ranging from age, English proficiency, financial status, educational qualification and job profile, all of which enable immigration authorities to determine if the application should be denied on grounds of public charge.

     

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    Credit: economictimes.indiatimes.com

  • Immigration Policies Weigh on Indian Workers Seeking Green Cards

    Immigration Policies Weigh on Indian Workers Seeking Green Cards

    By Laura D. Francis

    Hundreds of thousands of immigrants, mainly from India, may never get their green cards. Now some are losing their temporary work visas while waiting.

    That’s not just bad news for the workers. It also affects employers, mostly in high-tech industries, who say they have demonstrated they need high-skilled foreign workers.

    The situation is an outgrowth of a decades long backlog in green cards combined with tough new U.S. immigration policies that implement a 2017 executive order directing the government to ensure that businesses prioritize the hiring of U.S. workers.

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    Credit: bna.com