Donald Trump’s crackdown on immigration: H-1B visas set to get costlier, work permits for Indians may take a hit – 10 things to know about ‘Project Firewall’

The US department of labour has launched “Project Firewall” to target H-1B visa misuse, aligning with President Trump’s “America First” agenda. This initiative aims to protect American workers by scrutinising companies hiring foreign employees and ensuring fair wages. The secretary of labour will personally oversee investigations, with violators facing penalties like back wage repayment and program debarment, impacting industries heavily reliant on H-1B workers, especially Indian nationals.

Immigration judge orders Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil deported to Algeria or Syria

A Louisiana immigration judge ordered Columbia University student protest leader Mahmoud Khalil to be deported to Algeria or Syria on Friday, according to documents published by the American Civil Liberties Union, leading his legal team to appeal on Wednesday to the New Jersey federal court overseeing his civil rights case. The Columbia University Apartheid Divest leader, who was detained on March 8 and had his green card revoked over his role in belligerent activism on campus, was on September 12 denied a twelve day time extension, a change of venue to New York, and a waiver for removability.