immigration policy

Fresh insights from research showcase a notable disparity between the UK populace’s perceptions of net migration and the reality depicted by official data. Contrary to the recent decline in migration numbers, many Britons, including those who question immigration policies, hold the belief that influxes are increasing.

Data from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) shows that nearly 540,000 family-sponsored green card applications and about 170,000 employment-based applications are currently pending.

USCIS reports significant changes in the H-1B visa season, with a focus on higher-skilled foreign workers. This year, 71.5% of selected applicants hold U.S. master's degrees or higher, a notable increase from last year. The agency also noted a substantial drop in registrations within the lowest wage category, indicating a successful effort to curb low-wage applications and protect American jobs.

USCIS has clarified a new Green Card policy. This policy could have required many to apply from abroad. However, USCIS now states that applicants with national interest or economic benefit may continue their current process. This offers relief to many H-1B visa holders and tech industry workers. The agency is reasserting its interpretation of immigration law.

Foreign nationals in the US seeking permanent residency must now return to their home countries to apply for Green Cards, according to a new USCIS policy. This change, effective immediately, aims to restore the original intent of immigration law and streamline the process. Exceptions will be made only in extraordinary circumstances, freeing up agency resources for other critical cases.

In a significant policy update, the US government has categorized green card adjustments as a scarce discretionary privilege, a decision that may force many Indian H-1B visa holders to pursue their applications outside the country. Immigration attorneys foresee a rise in legal battles, warning that this could jeopardize the residency journey for numerous individuals, leaving them facing increased risks.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced a new "detect-delete-deport" policy targeting illegal immigrants, including Bangladeshis and Rohingyas. The state is establishing "holding centres" across districts to temporarily house apprehended foreigners before repatriation, with two centres already operational in Murshidabad and Malda.

Many Indian immigrants on employment and student visas rely on getting their green card while they’re still in the US. The new rule adds further uncertainty to the process.

A deported asylum seeker has secretly returned to Britain, living in fear of smugglers and authorities. He claims the UK-France "one in, one out" policy, intended to curb crossings, has driven migrants to more dangerous and expensive methods. He fears being forced into crime to survive, highlighting the policy's unintended consequences.

New UK government plans to extend permanent residency requirements could push away high-earning immigrants, analysis reveals. Those earning over £125,000 are already most likely to depart, with global opportunities and fewer financial ties elsewhere. The proposed changes, even with exceptions, risk deterring these skilled professionals, while lower-wage workers and those in sectors like nursing show strong commitment to staying.

A high-level committee, headed by retired Supreme Court judge Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar, has been formed to examine demographic changes in India, including those caused by illegal immigration and abnormal population shifts. The committee will assess causes and impacts, recommending policy and legal frameworks to address these challenges within a year.

West Bengal's BJP government has launched its 'detect, delete and deport' policy, opening a holding center in Malda for illegal foreign nationals. Nine suspected Bangladeshi nationals are currently housed there, awaiting verification and legal procedures. This initiative aims to streamline the deportation process for apprehended individuals, as mandated by a new national law.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated a "beneficial" and "sustainable" trade deal with India is likely, following significant progress. He emphasized that the Trump administration's trade policy aims to address global imbalances, not target specific nations. Rubio's visit also included discussions on critical minerals, energy, and defense, while India raised concerns about US visa policies.

USCIS has issued a new policy memo requiring most foreigners seeking a green card to apply from their home country, shifting from adjustment of status within the U.S. This stricter standard emphasizes weighing negative factors like immigration violations and inconsistent conduct, demanding stronger evidence of "unusual or outstanding" positive ties to the U.S. for those applying domestically.

Lamine Yamal is facing online backlash after influencer Inés García was accused of sharing content viewed as supportive of VOX. The controversy has revived attention on his father, Mounir Nasraoui, who was fined after a confrontation with VOX supporters in 2023. Social media users continue debating the political contrast surrounding the situation.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and external affairs minister S Jaishankar reaffirmed strong US-India strategic ties, highlighting cooperation in defence, trade, energy and technology. Rubio said US visa reforms were global, not India-specific, while condemning racist remarks against Indian Americans. Both leaders discussed energy security, Quad cooperation, trade negotiations, Iran tensions and India’s multi-alignment foreign policy approach.

USCIS now has the power to reject or deny immigration applications, even keeping fees, if an invalid signature is found months or years later. This new rule, effective July 10, 2026, applies broadly to most benefit requests, including visas and Green Cards. Applicants cannot usually fix signature errors after submission.