Focus Story

White House withdraws Indian-American Neera Tanden’s nomination as director of Office of Management and Budget

Tanden would have been the first woman of color to lead the powerful budget agency.

President Joe Biden revokes Trump’s green card ban

The ban had been put in place in 2020 by President Trump with the reasoning that it protected US workers amid rising unemployment due to the...

US Senate begins hearing to confirm Dr Vivek Murthy as Surgeon-General

The US Senate began the confirmation hearing for Indian-American physician Dr Vivek Murthy, US President Joe Biden’s nominee to serve as...

US has hit the H-1B visa cap for the fiscal year 2021, says immigration authority

Successful applicants will now be decided by a computerised draw of lots.

US Senate fails to convict former US president Trump in second impeachment trial

Former US President Donald Trump was acquitted yesterday on charges of inciting an insurrection at the US Capitol in his historic second...

Biden looks to rejoin UN Human Rights Council in yet another reversal of Trump policies

Trump had quit the 47-member council as part of his ‘America First’ policy in 2018.

“You have done nothing for me,” says Trump as he quits Screen Actors Guild

SAG-AFTRA published a news release on its website which stated its response to Trump’s resignation as, “Thank you”.

Biden administration appoints two Indian-American women to key posts in UN Mission

The Biden administration has appointed two Indian-American experts — Sohini Chatterjee and Aditi Gorur — to key diplomatic positions at...

Big relief for spouses of H-1B visa holders as Biden withdraws proposal to deny them working rights in the US

Under the Barack Obama administration, a regulation was passed that allowed certain sections of the spouses of H-1B visa holders to work in...

COVID-19 vaccine “will save your life” says Kamala Harris as she receives her second dose

After a vaccine roll-out that saw a lot of delays and confusion, the US is now administering over 1 million doses per day.

The countdown to the Biden-Harris inauguration begins

President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris will be sworn in to the White House on Wednesday.

Indian-American man arrested after living undetected in Chicago airport for three months

A 36-year-old Indian-origin man was arrested in the Chicago airport where he had been living undetected for the past three months reportedly...

Kamala Harris pens heartfelt social media post about her mother, says she follows her advice even today

Harris is the first woman and first south Asian to become Vice-President of the United States.

US President Donald Trump impeached for historic second time

United States President Donald Trump has made history after becoming the nation's only head of state to be impeached twice after the House...

YouTube temporarily suspends Trump’s channel for violating policy

Last week, the president’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts were suspended following the riots at the US Capitol.

Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal tests positive for COVID-19 after Capitol lockdown

Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal announced today that she has tested positive for coronavirus after being locked down in a...

‘America United’ announced as the theme for Joe Biden’s inauguration

The Committee will install an extensive public art display on the National Mall that will include approximately 191,500 US flags.

'Vogue' February cover featuring Vice-President elect Kamala Harris stirs whitewashing controversy

Popular American fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue drew criticism over after the release of its February cover page that featured US Vice...

Joe Biden appoints two more Indian-Americans to top positions

Vinay Reddy was named Biden's speechwriter while Gautam Raghavan was named as Deputy Director of the Office of Presidential Personnel.

Immigration reform within first 100 days in office, says Vice President-elect Kamala Harris

Indian-American Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris vowed that the new Biden administration would send a comprehensive immigration reform...

Biden, Harris named as Time magazine's 'Person of the Year'

Time magazine has named United States' President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris its 'Person of the Year'.

US Senate passes bill eliminating country cap on H-1B work visas

The Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act also raises the number of family-based visas.

Indian-American Maju Varghese named in Biden’s Presidential Inauguration Committee

The major events of the inauguration ceremony are the oath of office, inaugural address, parade and inaugural ball.

US court strikes down Trump administration rules aiming to restrict number of H-1B visas

In October the Trump government had announced changes in the granting of visas to overseas skilled workers like the H-1B visa.