FIIDS
Indian-American Congressperson introduces new bill to keep STEM graduates in US
The Keep STEM Graduates in America Act proposes changes in the H-1B visa process and raises the number of available visas each year to make staying in the United States more accessible.
Hindus not represented in USCIRF, says Indian diaspora body
The head of a top Indian diaspora think-tank criticizes the US Commission on International Religious Freedom for lacking diversity and producing biased reports on India and Hindus. USCIRF announced new members Maureen Ferguson, Vicky Hartzler, Asif Mahmood, and re-appointments of Stephen Schneck, Eric Ueland. Khanderao Kand criticizes the missed historic opportunity for diversity and balance in the commission.
USCIRF report based on omission & commission of facts: Indian diaspora body
A think-tank representing the Indian diaspora has criticized the USCIRF's report, calling it biased and based on incomplete facts. The report recommends designating India as a "Country of Particular Concern" for alleged violations of religious freedom, a move India has strongly opposed. The think-tank argues that the report fails to acknowledge India's efforts to protect religious freedom and wrongly singles out incidents without considering the country's complex context. It urges the US State Department to reject the report.
Diaspora body urges US govt, universities and student organisations to work towards addressing the spike in deaths of Indian-origin students
The causes of these incidents range from suspicious shootings or kidnappings to environmental deaths from ignorance of safety precautions (such as hypothermia or carbon monoxide poisoning), mental health problems leading to suicides, and even suspicious accidents leading to violent crimes, according to an analysis of the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS).
US Congressman advocates for removal of Green Card quota for highly qualified Indian professionals
Congressman Matt Cartwright, who represents the 8th Congressional District of Pennsylvania, is supporting the move by Indian American organisations, including the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora (FIIDS) for removing the per country seven per cent quota in issuing Green Cards every year.
US lawmakers call for addressing Green Card backlog and resolving H-1B issues at immigration summit
At an immigration summit in the US Capitol, lawmakers from both parties called for addressing the Green Card backlog, which is disproportionately affecting Indian professionals and H-1B visa issues. They urged the removal of the seven percent country quota to expedite the process and prevent waiting periods of more than 20 years.
Green Card backlog: Indian-American group writes to Biden Administration for relief
The Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) has urged the Biden Administration to relax rules regarding employment authorization cards for Indian-Americans stuck in the green card backlog. With over a million Indian-origin non-immigrant visa holders waiting for their priority dates to become current, the country-wise cap on approvals has caused delays of up to 135 years.
Make changes in training programme for foreign students, Indian diaspora body urges US
The Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) has called on the Biden Administration to make changes to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program for foreign students. They argue that there is a significant gap between graduating students and available H-1B visas, causing Indian students to miss out on contributing to the US industry.
Biden administration urged to make priority dates current for Indian Green Card applicants
A bipartisan group of 56 US lawmakers has requested the Biden administration to take executive action to make Green Card priority dates current for applicants from India. In their letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, the lawmakers appealed to the administration to mark all dates for filing of employment-based visa applications in the Bureau of Consular Affairs' published Employment-Based Visa Bulletin as “current”.
US commission seeks sanctions on Indian agencies over 'violation' of religious freedom
In its annual report on religious freedom, the USCIRF asked the US State Department to designate India as a "country of particular concern" on the status of religious freedom along with several other nations.
Wrong to assume fired H-1B holders must leave within 60 days, multiple options available, says USCIS director
In a letter to the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies, USCIS Director Ur M Jaddou said, "When non-immigrant workers are laid off, they may not be aware of their options and may, in some instances, wrongly assume that they have no option but to leave the country within 60 days."
Pro-Khalistan protesters attack Indian Consulate in San Francisco; stage protest outside Australian parliament
Community leader Ajay Bhutoria strongly condemned the attack by pro-Khalistan protesters on the Consulate of India building in San Francisco. "This act of violence is not only a threat to the diplomatic relations between the United States and India but also an attack on the peace and harmony of our community," he said. In a statement, Bhutoria urged local authorities to take immediate action against those responsible for this attack and bring them to justice. "I also call on all members of our community to unite and promote peace and harmony," he said.
Time running out for laid off H-1B professionals: FIIDS
"This has a humanitarian impact on them as their families, including their US-born children are uprooted abruptly, and those who were laid off in the earlier months are now running out of time," the Foundation For India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), which took up their cases with lawmakers and federal administration said in a statement on Friday.
Thousands of Indian IT professionals now jobless scrambling for options to stay in the US
A significantly large number of Indian IT professionals, who are on non-immigrant work visas like H-1B are L1, are now scrambling for options to stay in the US to find a new job in the stipulated few months time that they get under these foreign work visas after losing their jobs and change their visa status as well.
Thousands of Indian IT professionals now jobless scrambling for options to stay in the US
According to The Washington Post, nearly 200,000 IT workers have been laid off since November last year, including some record numbers in companies like Google, Microsoft, Facebook and Amazon. As per some industry insiders, between 30 to 40 per cent of them are Indian IT professionals, a significant number of whom are on H-1B and L1 visas.
Diaspora group launches online petition urging Anthony Blinken to reduce visa wait time
"Even after a two-year-long Covid-era pause in visa appointments at the US embassies in India, the visa appointment situation is far from normal, requiring 300 to 900 days of wait time based on the visa types,” Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies or FIIDS said launching its online petition campaign.
Indian American groups launch voting campaigns ahead of midterm elections
Indian Americans account for over one per cent of the country's population and have one of the highest per capita incomes among ethnic groups.
Diaspora body urges FM Sitharaman to allow NRIs, OCI card holders to invest in Indian stock market
In a submission to Sitharaman, FIIDS said as many as 88 per cent of the Indian Diaspora community in a recent survey had supported the move. FIIDS also urged the Finance Minister to expand the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) to avoid filing of the taxes in the United States on the income (with some restrictions) taxed (filled) in India.
Afghan people trust India more than Pakistan, says G Parthasarthy
"PM Modi under his 'Act East' policy, has sought to progressively integrate the Indian economy with those of India's eastern neighbors," said Parthasarthy.
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