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US not considering change in H1-B visa rules

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US not considering change in H1-B visa rules

Relief for over 5 lakh Indians working in US

In a major turn-around, US has clarified that it was not considering any change in H1B visa rules which could force half of the working Indians to leave the country. It will give respite to over half a million Indians waiting for a green card for almost a decade.

The clarification came, on Tuesday, after protests against proposed tweak in the laws as part of President Donald Trump’s “Buy American, Hire American” initiative. That could have led to deportation of over 7,50,000 Indians.

On Tuesday, the US administration clarified that it was not considering any policy alteration which could fuel a “self-deportation” of sorts. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it was not considering “a regulatory change that would force H-1B visa holders to leave the US by changing interpretation of section a04C of the American Competitiveness in the 21st Century Act (AC21) statute that states that USCIS may grant the extensions”.

US not considering change in H1-B visa rules

Honathan Withington, Chief of Media Relations at USCIS said in a statement, “Even if it were, such a change would not likely result in these H-1B visa holders having to leave the United States because employers could request extensions in one-year increments under section 106(a)-(b) of AC21 instead.”

He further said, “The agency is considering a number of policy and regulatory changes to carry out the president’s ‘Buy American, Hire American’ executive order, including a thorough review of employment-based visa programmes.”

There were reports that USCIS was drafting a policy to curb the indefinite extension for H-1B visa holders on the green-card route, forcing them to return home. The immigrant community was left perturbed.

The US Chamber of Commerce spokesperson told on Saturday that “It would tremendously be a bad policy to tell highly-skilled individuals who are applying for permanent residency and have been working in the US for several years that they are no longer welcome. This policy would harm American business, our economy, and the country.”

On January 4, Poorvi Chothani, the managing director of a prominent law firm LawQuest, said, “People will most likely be unwilling to make long-term plans for working in the US if settling down there is not an option or is a huge hurdle. I also think it will affect the number of students that will go to study in the US.”

However, despite the latest US announcement Indians were not ready to take it easy. Visa laws have turned stringent since Trump took office in January 2017. Even the premium processing for H1-B visa is being halted and it is getting tougher.

The H1-B, a non-immigrant visa allows US companies to employ foreign workers: theoretical or technical expertise. It is issued for three to six years but visa holders start process to obtain green card which allows work visas renewal indefinitely.

On the New Year, US based news portal McCathy had reported that the change in rules would stop the abuse and misuse of H-1B visas and end the provision of granting  visa extension for those who have applied for Green Card.

The present law “allows the administration to extend the H1-B visa for thousands of immigrants, predominantly Indians, beyond the allowed two three-year terms if a green card is pending.”

In October 2017, finance minister Arun Jaitley had raised the H1-B visa issue during his talks with US Treasury and Commerce Secretaries and asked to appreciate the contributions of Indian professionals to the US economy.

There are reports that more than 1 million H1-B visa holders, most of them Indians, are waiting for their green cards for more than ten years. During the election campaign Donald Trump had promised to tighten H1-B and L-1 visa provisions for generating more jobs for domestic population.

Latest world news

PM Modi arrives in France for G7 Summit 2026, Trump meeting scheduled on Wednesday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in France for the G7 Summit 2026. A bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump is expected during the summit as leaders discuss major global economic and security challenges.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Évian, France, on Tuesday to participate in the G7 Summit 2026, marking the final leg of his two-nation Europe visit. World leaders have gathered in the French town for discussions on major global challenges, including economic growth, security, technology and international cooperation.

The summit comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, with developments related to Iran, Ukraine and global economic stability expected to feature prominently in discussions among leaders.

A bilateral meeting between PM Modi and US President Donald Trump is expected on Wednesday on the sidelines of the summit. According to reports, the two leaders are likely to discuss trade, investment, energy cooperation, supply chains, artificial intelligence and broader strategic issues.

Ahead of the summit, PM Modi had said India would represent not only its own interests but also the aspirations of the Global South. India has consistently used international forums to raise issues affecting developing nations, including sustainable development, economic resilience and equitable global growth.

French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting the three-day summit in Évian, where leaders from G7 nations and invited partner countries are taking part in a series of formal sessions and bilateral engagements. India is among the invited outreach partners attending the gathering.

The expected Modi-Trump meeting is attracting significant attention as it would be their first face-to-face interaction since recent discussions over trade and strategic cooperation. Officials have indicated that economic ties, visa-related matters and regional security issues could feature in the talks.

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Trump says Iran agrees to never have nuclear weapons, rejects $300 billion fund claim

Donald Trump said Iran has agreed to never possess nuclear weapons under a proposed framework, while dismissing reports that the US would provide Tehran with a $300 billion reconstruction fund.

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Donald Trump statement

US President Donald Trump has said that Iran has agreed to a commitment that it will never develop or possess nuclear weapons, describing it as a central element of a proposed understanding between Washington and Tehran.

Speaking about the ongoing diplomatic efforts, Trump also rejected reports suggesting that the United States planned to provide Iran with a reconstruction or investment package worth $300 billion. He described such claims as false and said no such arrangement had been agreed.

The remarks come as discussions continue over a broader framework aimed at easing tensions between the two countries. According to Trump, the understanding would ensure that Iran remains without nuclear weapons while opening the door for future engagement if the terms are respected.

Questions remain over final agreement details

Despite Trump’s comments, several aspects of the proposed arrangement remain unclear because the full text of the agreement has not yet been made public.

Reports indicate that negotiations have involved discussions on sanctions relief, access to frozen assets and potential economic measures linked to Iran’s compliance with future commitments. However, the exact scope of these provisions has not been officially confirmed.

Another key issue is how compliance would be monitored. Details regarding inspections, verification mechanisms and the handling of Iran’s existing nuclear materials have yet to be fully explained.

Further negotiations expected

Officials have suggested that discussions on technical nuclear matters could continue even after the signing of an initial memorandum of understanding. Such talks would likely focus on implementation and verification measures.

The proposed framework is being closely watched internationally, as any agreement between the United States and Iran could have significant implications for regional stability and global non-proliferation efforts.

For now, Trump has maintained that the core objective remains clear: ensuring that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon while denying reports that Washington has committed to a multibillion-dollar reconstruction fund.

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LATEST SPORTS NEWS

USA start FIFA World Cup 2026 with dominant 4-1 victory over Paraguay

The USA opened their FIFA World Cup 2026 journey with a dominant 4-1 victory against Paraguay, earning three valuable points in Group D.

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The United States kicked off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign in impressive fashion, securing a commanding 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their Group D opener at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

Playing in front of a passionate home crowd, the hosts delivered an attacking display to collect all three points and make an early statement in the tournament. The match also marked a significant occasion as the USA hosted part of the World Cup opening festivities before turning attention to the action on the pitch.

The Americans took control early and maintained pressure on Paraguay throughout the contest. Their attacking movement and clinical finishing helped them establish a comfortable lead, while Paraguay struggled to contain the hosts’ pace and creativity in the final third.

USA seize control after fast start

The United States settled quickly and found success going forward, creating several opportunities through quick passing and aggressive pressing. Their attacking approach paid off as they built momentum and gradually stretched Paraguay’s defence.

Paraguay attempted to respond and managed to get on the scoresheet, but the South American side found it difficult to match the intensity shown by the hosts. The USA continued to create chances and added further goals to put the result beyond doubt.

With the victory, the United States moved to the top section of Group D and gained an important boost in confidence ahead of their upcoming fixtures in the tournament.

Strong opening result for hosts

A winning start is particularly important in a World Cup campaign, and the USA achieved exactly that with a comprehensive performance. The result gives the hosts valuable momentum as they prepare for the next stage of group play.

For Paraguay, the defeat means they will need a strong response in their remaining group matches to keep their hopes of progressing to the knockout rounds alive.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the tournament featuring an expanded format and more participating teams than previous editions.

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