NRI ( Page 1 of 97 )

Indian-origin man with ‘bipolar disorder’ shot dead by US police April 27, 2024 14:57

Sachin Sahoo, a 42-year-old man with bipolar disorder, was fatally shot by police in San Antonio on April 21. The incident occurred when Sahoo attempted to escape arrest for an aggravated assault case by hitting two officers with his vehicle. Officer Tyler Turner fired the fatal shot, according to investigators from the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD). Sahoo, who was originally from Uttar Pradesh, may have been a naturalized US citizen. The police were called to the Cheviot Heights area of San Antonio following a report of an aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon. Upon arrival, they discovered that Sahoo had collided with his 51-year-old roommate, Candace Byrnes, whom he had only known for about a month. Byrnes suffered serious injuries, including two broken bones in her pelvis and brain bleeds, requiring surgery. Following a certain condition, Sahoo was issued an arrest warrant by the police. However, the neighbors alerted the authorities that Sahoo had returned to the original location. Upon the arrival of the policemen at the scene and their attempt to communicate with Sahoo, he struck them with his car. In response, one of the officers discharged his firearm, resulting in Sahoo's demise. One of the injured officers received immediate medical attention, while the other was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Officer Tyler Turner, who has been with the department for five years, has been placed on routine administrative leave as the SAPD investigates the shooting incident. Candace Byrnes encountered Sahoo outside the Salvation Army, where he introduced himself as an Uber driver and offered her a place to stay in exchange for assistance around the house. Initially feeling secure, Byrnes later noticed Sahoo engaged in self-conversation. Byrnes claimed that Sahoo had stopped taking his medication and desired a more intimate relationship than just friendship. According to her, Sahoo became enraged when she informed him of her intention to leave temporarily and return within a few hours.

Indians can now get five-year multi-entry Schengen visa April 24, 2024 16:37

Indian nationals can now benefit from a new visa system introduced by the European Union (EU), known as the "cascade" regime. Under this system, Indian citizens are eligible to receive long-term, multi-entry Schengen visas that are valid for a period of two years. This is a significant improvement compared to the previous visas, which had shorter validity periods. To be eligible for the two-year visa, applicants must have previously obtained and lawfully used two Schengen visas within the past three years. Upon successfully utilizing the two-year visa, Indian travelers can expect to receive a five-year Schengen visa, provided that their passport has enough remaining validity. Holding a valid two-year or five-year visa grants Indian citizens the same travel rights within the Schengen area as visa-free nationals. This means that they can freely travel within the member countries for short stays, typically up to 90 days in any 180-day period, without requiring additional permits. According to the statement, the initial two-year visa is usually followed by a five-year visa, depending on the remaining validity of the passport. Throughout the duration of these visas, holders enjoy the same travel privileges as visa-exempt nationals. The "cascade" system is designed to reward frequent travelers by gradually increasing the length of their visas. Upon successful utilization, the visa grants you the potential to be eligible for a visa lasting five years. Within the Schengen visa, individuals are granted the freedom to explore the Schengen area, allowing for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Although these visas are not limited to a specific purpose, they do not grant the right to work. The Schengen area consists of 29 European countries, including 25 member states of the European Union: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, and Sweden. It also includes Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. This decision is made in the context of strengthening relations under the EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility, which aims for comprehensive cooperation on migration policy between the EU and India. The facilitation of people-to-people contacts is a crucial aspect due to India's importance as an EU partner. On April 18, 2024, the European Commission implemented specific regulations for issuing multiple-entry visas to Indian nationals, which are more advantageous compared to the previous standard rules of the Visa Code. Travellers in India will now have easier access to visas that are valid for multiple years, as long as their passport allows it. This new policy is especially beneficial for those who frequently journey to and from India.

Three Indians trying to enter USA ilegally Arrested March 15, 2024 12:16

Four individuals, including three Indian nationals, were apprehended by US Border Patrol while attempting to enter the United States illegally on a freight train from Canada. The incident occurred on the International Railroad Bridge in Buffalo, New York, as the individuals jumped off a moving train. Despite sustaining injuries, a woman was unable to flee and was left behind by the men who were eventually caught after a chase. The injured woman received immediate medical attention from Erie County Sheriff's deputies and US Customs and Border Protection officers before being transferred to a local hospital. According to officials, the woman and two of the men were identified as Indian nationals, while the fourth individual was from the Dominican Republic. All four were undocumented non-citizens. The woman is currently receiving additional medical care in accordance with the Immigration and Nationality Act. Several Indians who tried to enter into the USA ilegally have been arrested.

59,000 Indians get US Citizenship in 2023 February 12, 2024 13:17

India was the second highest contributor of new citizens to the United States in 2023, with over 59,000 Indians officially becoming citizens, according to a report by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The report also states that a total of 870,000 foreign nationals gained US citizenship in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023, with Mexico being the top provider at 110,000, followed by India at 59,100. To be eligible for citizenship, individuals typically need to have been lawful permanent residents for at least five years, although there are exceptions for certain groups, such as spouses of US citizens or those with military service. The majority of new citizens in FY 2023 met the requirement of being lawful permanent residents for at least five years, followed by those who were married to US citizens for three years or had served in the military during specific periods. In general, individuals must have a minimum of five years of lawful permanent residency, while spouses of US citizens need at least three years of residency to be eligible for citizenship. The average duration of lawful permanent residency for citizens naturalized in FY 2023 was seven years.

Two Indian Employees Sentenced To Prison in USA February 03, 2024 14:21

Three individuals who previously worked for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have been given sentences for participating in a plot to unlawfully acquire exclusive software and confidential law enforcement databases from the US government for personal gain. Notably, two of these individuals are of Indian nationality. Sonal Patel, a 49-year-old resident of Sterling, Virginia, received a two-year probationary period as part of her sentence. In April 2019, Patel admitted guilt in the conspiracy to steal government property. Murali Y Venkata, a 58-year-old resident of Aldie, Virginia, was sentenced to four months of imprisonment. In April 2022, Venkata was found guilty by a jury for conspiring to steal government property, defraud the United States, commit wire fraud, and destroy records. Charles K Edwards, a 63-year-old resident of Sandy Springs, Maryland, was sentenced to one year and six months of imprisonment. Edwards pleaded guilty in January 2022 for his involvement in the conspiracy.

Australia scraps Golden Visa Programme January 23, 2024 16:49

Australia has made the decision to end its "golden visa" program, which allowed wealthy foreign investors to live in the country. The government cited poor economic results as the reason for scrapping the program, and it will be replaced with a visa that focuses on skills. The significant investor visas (SIV) were originally implemented to attract investment and promote innovation in Australia. To qualify for the visa, candidates were required to invest 5 million Australian dollars in the country. However, the program faced criticism for contributing to corruption and allowing foreign nationals to bring illegal funds into Australia. Notably, the majority of successful applicants were from China, with 85% of the SIVs granted to Chinese investors. "It has been clear for a long time that this visa does not meet the needs of our country and economy," stated Clare O'Neil, the Minister of Home Affairs. Australia, following in the footsteps of countries like the United Kingdom, has decided to join the list of European nations that have banned similar investment-based residency programs. This decision was made due to concerns about the potential influx of illegal money into the country. The UK, for example, ended its own investment-driven residency program in 2022 out of fear that money launderers from Russia were taking advantage of the program to reside in the UK. Clancy Moore, the CEO of Transparency International Australia, expressed his satisfaction with this development. He had been leading a movement against these so-called "golden visa" programs, citing their alleged flaws and vulnerabilities. According to Moore, corrupt officials and kleptocrats have long used these programs as a means to park their illicit funds in Australia and potentially conceal the proceeds of their criminal activities.

Three arrested for assaulting Indian student for three months in USA December 01, 2023 17:18

In a shocking and appalling case, a 20-year-old Indian student in the US has been rescued from months of inhumane captivity and abuse. The student, whose name has not been disclosed, endured unimaginable suffering and was subjected to physical violence, including beatings and threats with weapons. The incident highlights the urgent need for routine screening and care for vulnerable populations, including immigrants, refugees, and underserved communities. These populations are often at higher risk of experiencing human trafficking, exploitation, and various forms of violence. Furthermore, the ordeal faced by the Indian student brings attention to the broader issue of human rights violations and abuse across different contexts. It also sheds light on the challenges faced by Native American students and their struggle to engage in post-secondary institutions due to a history of forced assimilation and inhumane treatment. Human rights violations, torture, trauma, and limited access to basic human needs such as food and shelter are unfortunately common experiences among people seeking asylum. These individuals often come from resource-poor countries where access to healthcare is limited, exacerbating their vulnerability and increasing the need for support and protection. This incident serves as a reminder of the intersecting oppressions and traumas experienced by victims of human trafficking.

Stabbed Indian student at a US Gym, dies November 09, 2023 15:51

An Indian student was stabbed at a fitness centre in the state of Indiana of USA and the incident took place on October 29th. The 24-year-old student passed away on Wednesday in a private hospital. The deceased was identified as Varun Raj Pucha who is a computer science student at Valparaiso University. He was stabbed in the head by 24-year-old Jordan Andrade told the cops. The official statement told "It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Varun Raj Pucha. Our campus community has lost one of its own, and our thoughts and prayers go out to Varun's family and friends as we mourn this devastating loss,". The accused was arrested and he was charged with attempt of murder and aggravated battery. Jordan Andrade told the cops that Varun had plans to assassinate him. He also said that they never met before the attack but he said that someone told him that Varun was threatening. The cops said "Officers also spoke with Planet Fitness staff who indicated that (the stabbed man) was a regular gym member and generally kept to himself, was quiet and reserved, nothing indicating that he was 'creepy". Andrade found Varun weird and walked close to him. When Varun tried to push him, Andrade started attacking. He agreed that he attacked Varun in the head with a knife. The University campus said that a memorial service will be held on November 16th. Varun Raj comes from Khammam district of Telangana and he is doing his MS in Computer Science from August 2022.

Four-Indian Origin Family Members Died In New Jersey October 06, 2023 20:11

An Indian-origin family of four was found dead in New Jersey. Police in Plainsboro suspect a murder-suicide. County Prosecutor Yolando Ciccone said that they found them dead in their residence, where on Wednesday evening, police went to check their welfare after a request was raised. Tej Pratap Singh, 43, Sonal Parihar 42 and their 10-year-old son and six-year-old daughter were found dead. Police have trashed the shooting rumours. For now, police are investigating the case. All four bodies were sent to autopsies, which will be performed on Thursday and will take more time for reports. Plainsboro Mayor Peter Cantu has informed the public about the news on his X platform. He wrote, “ What happened in our community is beyond comprehension”. According to the primary investigation, police have found that the man had killed his family and then killed himself. The parents of the couple claim in front of the media that they are a happy couple and they were unable to believe what happened to their children. One among them used to work in the information technology sector and another partner in human resources.

Sad Truth Of Proxy Life Of Telugu people In the USA August 21, 2023 13:26

Proxy lives of an NRI is a disturbing truth. Starting from writing a GRE exam to getting a job in any prestigious IT company, Proxy are behind Telugu people. It is very easy for a very normal student to get I20 with a good GRE score, which will be written by a Proxy. They will even don?t know how to write one complicated word spelling, but get good score because of Proxy. After getting a seat at any University in the USA, it is not tough for a student to pass semesters as even to write exams and do projects many proxies will be available in Universities. It's a known truth for everyone that only the top 100 to 200 universities in the US will offer a better and strict education system, rather than that all the other Universities are mostly desperate for money. They just want a student who pays lakhs of rupees fee. Students who go to the USA will be busy doing jobs and earning money rather than studying and finishing their degree with good grades. With this problem worthy candidates, like those who got a seat in any university with a good score, will be struggling to get grades so as to get placements or to get good jobs. Now after getting the degrees with the help of Proxy, people are out and free to find a job. Here Desi consultancies are going to help these Proxy candidates to get a good job with a fancy salary. A proxy will attend the interview and in the HR round, the consultancies will buy the HR with some fancy amount. They provide a fake green card and get a job. If the candidate gets caught providing a fake green card, HR will be safe by saying that even he was cheated, and the candidate needs to face circumstances like jail or deportation. With this sort of system, many are doing 3 to 4 jobs. In the USA, there will be no job pressure on the employee in the early stages of their career, which is helping these types of people. It is easy for an above-average student also to get 3-4 jobs. Work From Home has turned out to be a blessing for such type of people. So they are refusing to go to workplaces nowadays because they need to quit other jobs. Many techies from India are working in the USA, and with this Proxy, many talented people are struggling in the US without jobs. Even citizens are struggling. When people are caught in such activities, desi's run to Mexico through Texas and then return to India. After returning to India, with earned money, they will invest in movies or in politics. That is the reason such people will never visit the USA even after getting an invitation from a big organization after coming back. The saddest truth is only Telugu people live a proxy life in every step of America. Even Mexicans suffer for jobs and will not do this Proxy business. Only Telugu-speaking people are migrating to America like this. Parents sending their children even knowing about the proxy consultancies might get caught in trouble. Go to the USA only with talent and honesty, but not with the help of Proxy. If in 2024, the Republican Party comes into power, there is a strong chance of taking action against this proxy system of Telugu people.

Rice Shortage: NRIs in queue July 22, 2023 19:56

The Indian government has banned the export of rice fearing of shortage. India is the world’s largest supplier of food, covering up to 40 per cent of global exports and leaving three billion people rely on this. With the ban, NRI living in the USA were in queues outside super markets to buy the leftover stock of rice bags. Supermarkets have restricted the purchase to one bag, where NRI’s are roaming around the city to buy sufficient amount of rice bags. Because of the Ukraine and Russia wars, the import of wheat flour has been stopped, which resulted in the consumption of more rice in the country. The crops with the effect of El Nino have less harvest. All these reasons resulted in the shortage of rice. Union government as a precautionary measure of scarcity in the country has stopped the export of non-basmati white rice. This is the largest shortage of rice in 20 years. Rice inflation has already accelerated from an average of 6 per cent to nearly 12 per cent.Bad weather in China and Pakistan is also one of the reasons for the shortage. Prices of rice are expected to see a hike soon and the government is already thinking over the subsidy prices in the markets.

US Visa Slots Open For Mid-July to Mid-Aug June 20, 2023 16:12

The US consulate in India is opening new visa interview slots for students who are looking for higher studies in the USA. Last year 1.25L students from India travelled to the USA for higher education,…