Representational Photo

US Immigration Policy Change Could Adversely Affect Indians, South Asians Seeking Employment-Based Green Cards

The policy could have particularly significant consequences for employment-based Green Card applicants, many of whom have traditionally relied on adjustment of status (AOS) while continuing to live and work legally in the U.S. There is a large number of Indian immigrants who stand to face significant disruption and delay because of this policy shift.

Stricter H-1B visa rules, OPT Termination Will Make US Less Attractive for Indian and South Asian Students

It is not just Indian professionals, but this bill could result in a further drop in Indian students - the largest foreign student cohort in the US - showing interest in higher studies in the US. It is not just the H-1B visa by itself, but the proposal for ending the OPT which prospective students would be paying attention to. OPT helps students in drawing employment, gaining experience and potentially transferring to H-1B Visa status. In 2024-2025, over 140,000 Indian students were participating in the OPT program.

Musical Bridge-Building: A Cultural Challenge to the Cross-border Political Dynamics of India–Pakistan Relations

Le-Huu calls the Red EP “a bright exemplar of world fusion music… -- a folk duo blending South Asian and American traditions” layering “original Urdu, Hindi, and English lyrics over classical Indian ragas and beats borrowed from rock, reggae, and American roots music.”

Bulldozing War Memory: South Asia’s Selective Silence Over Desecration of Gaza's Commonwealth Graves

In the end, the need to remember our war dead transcends borders, alliances, and eras. These disturbed graves — British, Australian, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi in origin — call us to a solemn duty: To honour all who fell with dignity. Forgetting them, or allowing their memory to be selectively bulldozed, diminishes us all.

More on South Asia Diaspora and Global Indians

India should be provided resources to make vaccines, says top US disease expert

India, the largest vaccine maker in the world, should be provided with resources to make its own vaccines or donate vaccines, Antony Fauci, the top US expert on COVID-19, has said

1100 Pakistanis locked in Saudi jails to return home

An agreement has been reached between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan for the repatriation of 1100 Pakistanis, locked up in Saudi jails, informed Pakistan Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid, reported Geo TV

Non-resident Nepalis to send 100 oxygen concentrators to Nepal

Amid increasing coronavirus cases in the country, non-resident Nepalis have decided to send 100 oxygen concentrators to assist the government response to the COVID-19 pandemic, reported The Himalayan Times

Will NYC elect a South Asian American on city council this time?

Despite vibrant South Asian communities - like the one in Jackson Heights - flourishing across Queens and New York for decades, New York City has never elected a South Asian American city council member

European Parliament resolution on the state of human rights in Pakistan was overdue

It would not have come as a surprise to any Pakistan-watcher that the European Parliament, in view of the “alarming” increase in the abuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan, last week adopted a resolution calling for a review of the GSP+ status, the EU’s most beneficial trading relationship, which it had granted to the country

'Outpouring of support from Indian diaspora towards India COVID-19 relief'

Following remarks from Vice President Kamala Harris reiterating United States’ strong partnership with India in this "hour of need", Silicon Valley angel investor and entrepreneur MR Rangaswami, who founded Indiaspora, a nonprofit community of global Indian diaspora leaders, spoke of the outpouring of support from the Indian diaspora toward India’s COVID-19 relief efforts at a discussion hosted by the State Department

Helmed by a Pakistani, this London eatery serves 500 free meals daily

The brainchild of a Pakistani activist and businessman, an Asian community kitchen in West London is serving over 500 hot meals to low-income families, the homeless, and refugees for free each day

Space and aviation fellowships for several Indian-American women

The Brooke Owens Fellowship which recognizes undergraduate women and other gender minorities with space and aviation internships, senior mentorship, and a lifelong professional network, recently announced its Class of 2021 Brooke Owen Fellows,  News India Times reported

Georgia governor appoints Indian-American lawyer as district attorney

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp recently appointed Indian-American Samir Patel as the new district attorney in the Cherokee Judicial Circuit in Georgia

US doctors of Indian origin rendering telehealth services to India

The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), the largest ethnic medical organization in the US with over 80,000 members, is facilitating interaction between US and Indian doctors to advise them about the treatment of COVID-19 patients through evidence-based protocols based on their own experience in dealing with the Covid surge in America last year

Two-thirds Americans support removing US troops from Afghanistan by September: Poll

Two-thirds of Americans support the Biden administration’s decision to pull US troops from Afghanistan by September, a new Charles Koch Institute poll revealed on Wednesday

Hillary Clinton warns of consequences in Afghanistan amid troops withdrawal

As foreign forces started to withdraw from Afghanistan, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned of “huge consequences”

Global rights bodies concerned over media freedom in Bangladesh

Seven global and regional human rights bodies have expressed concern over the state of media freedom in Bangladesh and urged the United Nations Human Rights chief to engage Bangladesh authorities to protect and respect freedom of expression, The Daily Star reported

Bangladeshi American population grows 263 percent

The number of Bangladeshi Americans, among the fastest-growing Asian origin  groups in the US, has shot up by 263 percent over the past two decades, Dhaka Tribune reported

Will disrupt any threat emanating from Afghanistan: Biden

The United States will remain “vigilant” about any threat emanating from Afghanistan, said US President Joe Biden, on the 10th anniversary of the raid by US special forces that killed Osama Bin Laden in 2011