（2025年10月13日 6:41更新）
【モスクワ共同】バルト3国の一つ、ラトビア政府は国内に住むロシア人841人に対し、10月13日までの国外退去を命じました。
対象となるのは、ラトビア語の能力証明や義務とされている安全審査を通過しなかった人々です。
この措置は国内の安全や言語政策を背景に実施されたものと見られています。
※この記事は有料会員限定です。
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Unlawful crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border in fiscal year 2025 plummeted to the lowest annual level since the early 1970s, amid the Trump administration’s sweeping clampdown on illegal immigration, internal federal statistics obtained by CBS News show.
U.S. Border Patrol agents recorded nearly 238,000 apprehensions of migrants crossing the southern border illegally in fiscal year 2025, which began in October of last year and ended on Sept. 30, according to preliminary Department of Homeland Security data that has not been previously reported.
The number is the lowest annual tally recorded by Border Patrol since fiscal year 1970, when the agency reported roughly 202,000 apprehensions along the U.S.-Mexico border, historical figures indicate.
It also represents a seismic change from the record-high levels of Border Patrol apprehensions recorded under the Biden administration, which faced an unprecedented humanitarian crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border. In fiscal year 2022, Border Patrol made 2.2 million apprehensions—a record—and almost 10 times the levels recorded in 2025.
More than 60% of the apprehensions made by Border Patrol in fiscal year 2025 along the U.S.-Mexico border were recorded in the last full three months of the Biden administration, the preliminary data shows. (Government fiscal years start in October and end in September, often spanning different administrations.)
Over President Trump’s first full eight months in office, Border Patrol agents assigned to the southern border have recorded fewer than 9,000 apprehensions each month—a number that the agency recorded in 24-hour periods during some days under former President Joe Biden.
The internal DHS figures show Border Patrol made nearly 8,400 apprehensions at the U.S.-Mexico border in September 2025, an increase from 6,300 in August and 4,600 in July, which was a monthly record low.
Border Patrol apprehensions denote the number of times agents intercepted and processed migrants entering the country between official ports of entry, which is illegal. Some migrants can be counted multiple times if they attempt to enter the U.S. more than once after being turned back to Mexico.
In a statement, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said, “President Trump has overwhelmingly delivered on his promise to secure our Southern Border. As a result, Americans are safer; unvetted criminal illegal aliens and dangerous drugs are no longer pouring over our border unchecked.”
Jackson added, “And for all the Democrats who claimed it was impossible to secure the border or that they needed new policy, turns out all we needed was a new President. A new normal.”
Ariel Ruiz Soto, an analyst at the Migration Policy Institute—a nonpartisan think tank based in Washington—noted that illegal border crossings began to fall sharply in the summer of 2024, after the Biden administration enacted strict limits on asylum. But he said the Trump administration had set “a new normal” for migration flows in just a few months.
Ruiz Soto explained that the Trump administration’s stringent policies at the border and inside the U.S. “have had a significant effect on people being deterred from coming illegally to the United States.”
Soon after Mr. Trump took office for a second time, his administration moved to seal and militarize the southern border, closing down the American asylum system using emergency powers, dispatching thousands of soldiers to repel illegal crossings, and shutting down Biden-era programs that allowed some migrants to enter the U.S. legally.
While parts of the asylum ban have been curtailed and declared illegal by courts, the Trump administration has virtually ended the practice of releasing migrants who cross into the U.S. illegally, deporting them quickly or holding them in detention while their cases are reviewed.
Beyond the border, the Trump administration has staged highly publicized operations targeting those living in the U.S. illegally, dispatching teams of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and Border Patrol agents across the country with the objective of overseeing a deportation campaign of unprecedented proportions.
The crackdown has not been without controversy. The administration’s border policies have been denounced as inhumane, draconian, and illegal by groups like the American Civil Liberties Union, which has challenged them in federal court on the grounds that they are at odds with U.S. and international asylum law as well as the Constitution.
The federal immigration raids well beyond the border have also triggered significant backlash, particularly in major American cities like Chicago and Los Angeles, where large-scale protests have erupted.
National and local Democrats have decried the raids as indiscriminate and overly harsh, accusing the Trump administration of not solely focusing on deporting violent offenders.
Citing confrontations and instances of violence, Mr. Trump in recent days has ordered National Guard troops to deploy to Chicago and Portland, Oregon, to protect immigration agents and facilities there. A federal judge has so far blocked the plan to send National Guard units to Portland.
Amid the national debate over immigration enforcement, those living along the southern border say there’s no denying the reality on the ground has changed markedly.
John Martin said his network of shelters in the Texas border city of El Paso housed hundreds of migrants during spikes in illegal crossings under the Biden administration. On Monday, he said his organization was not housing a single migrant, stating he has received “little to no” new arrivals who are not local homeless residents in recent months.
He attributed this change to Mr. Trump’s crackdown.
“If the goal is to decrease the number of individuals, I would say that appears to have been successful, without getting into the politics about whether or not I like it or dislike it,” Martin said. “We’re just simply not seeing the people.”
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/illegal-crossings-immigration-us-mexico-southern-border-lowest-level-1970-trump-dhs/
**Spanish-Language Journalist Mario Guevara Deported to El Salvador After Months in Immigration Detention**
ATLANTA (AP) — Mario Guevara, a Spanish-language journalist who had been held in immigration detention in Georgia since June, was deported on Friday to El Salvador.
Guevara, 48, was covering a protest just outside Atlanta on June 14 when local police arrested him. Several days later, he was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Since his detention, Guevara’s lawyers have been fighting parallel legal battles in both immigration and federal courts, seeking his release.
In a live video posted on Facebook Friday afternoon, Guevara is seen being escorted by El Salvador government officials. He exits a vehicle and embraces a woman filming the moment on her phone.
“Hello, Mom,” he says. Looking toward the sky, he adds, “My country, my country, my country. Thank God. This isn’t how I wanted to come to my country, but thank God.”
Guevara’s deportation follows a decision by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday, which declined to put a hold on a deportation order issued last month by the Board of Immigration Appeals.
All criminal charges filed against Guevara since his arrest were dismissed by local prosecutors. His attorneys have argued that his detention was retaliatory—aimed at silencing his journalism work and violating his constitutional rights.
Having fled El Salvador two decades ago due to fear for his safety, Guevara built a large following as a journalist in the Atlanta area. He worked for Mundo Hispanico, a Spanish-language newspaper, for many years before launching a digital news outlet called MG News about a year ago.
He was livestreaming video from a “No Kings” rally protesting the Trump administration when police arrested him in DeKalb County. Guevara was known for arriving at scenes where ICE or other law enforcement agencies were active, often based on tips from community members, and regularly streamed live updates on social media.
Video of his arrest shows him wearing a bright red shirt beneath a vest marked “PRESS.” He told a police officer, “I’m a member of the media, officer,” as he stood on a sidewalk with other journalists. There was no indication of large crowds or confrontations nearby at the time.
Following his arrest, charges against him in DeKalb County and Gwinnett County were dropped by prosecutors. An immigration judge granted Guevara bond in July, but he remained in custody while the government appealed the bond decision.
An earlier immigration case from 2012 had denied Guevara permission to remain in the U.S. He appealed that ruling to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), but the appeal remained undecided when prosecutors administratively closed the case.
Guevara’s lawyers contend he has been authorized to live and work in the U.S. for the last 13 years.
Shortly after he entered ICE custody, the government requested the BIA to reopen his old immigration case. Guevara’s attorneys did not oppose reopening but asked that the case be sent back to the lower immigration court because he has a pending visa application supported by his adult U.S. citizen son.
Last month, the BIA agreed to reopen the case but dismissed Guevara’s appeal and denied his request to return the case to the lower court. It also ordered his deportation to El Salvador and dismissed the government’s appeal of the bond ruling as moot.
Guevara’s legal team appealed to the 11th Circuit, seeking to halt the deportation order while the appeal was pending. They argue that both the BIA ruling and the 11th Circuit’s refusal to stay his deportation are based on incorrect information.
A separate federal court case challenging the constitutionality of Guevara’s detention is still pending. His lawyers have argued that he is being punished for his journalism and have asked a judge to order his immediate release and halt his deportation while the case proceeds.
___
Associated Press writer Elliot Spagat contributed to this report.
© Copyright Associated Press. All rights reserved.
https://wtop.com/national/2025/10/spanish-language-journalist-arrested-while-covering-protest-near-atlanta-deported-to-el-salvador/
**Three Activists Indicted for “Doxing” ICE Agent Amid Immigration Raid Protests in Los Angeles**
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Three activists opposed to President Donald Trump’s immigration raids in Los Angeles have been indicted on charges of illegally “doxing” a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, federal prosecutors announced.
According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Friday, investigators said the women followed the ICE agent home, livestreamed their pursuit, and later posted the agent’s address online. Upon arriving at the agent’s residence, prosecutors allege the women shouted, “ICE lives on your street and you should know,” according to the indictment.
The three defendants face one count each of conspiracy and publicly disclosing the personal information of a federal agent, the statement added.
Prosecutors provided details about the defendants’ status: a 25-year-old woman from Panorama City, California, is free on a $5,000 bond; a 38-year-old resident of Aurora, Colorado—also facing separate charges related to assault on a federal officer—is held in custody without bond. Authorities are still searching for the third defendant, a 37-year-old woman from Riverside, California.
“Our brave federal agents put their lives on the line every day to keep our nation safe,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. “The conduct of these defendants is deeply offensive to law enforcement officers and their families. If you threaten, dox, or harm in any manner one of our agents or employees, you will face prosecution and prison time.”
**What is Doxing?**
Doxing refers to the malicious act of gathering private or identifying information about someone and releasing it online without their consent—often with the intent to harass, threaten, shame, or seek revenge.
Attorneys representing the women could not immediately be reached for comment on Monday. An inquiry was sent to the Federal Public Defender’s Office to determine whether its attorneys are representing the defendants.
**Details of the Incident**
According to the indictment, the three women followed the ICE agent last month from the federal building in downtown Los Angeles to the agent’s home in Baldwin Park, east of Los Angeles. The entire pursuit was livestreamed, court documents reveal.
In July, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem warned that individuals who publish personal information of federal agents could face prosecution. Her statement came after flyers circulated in Portland, Oregon, encouraging the public to collect intelligence on ICE agents.
**Context: Controversy Over ICE Enforcement Tactics**
Critics of the Trump administration’s immigration raids have expressed outrage over federal agents wearing masks and refusing to identify themselves while arresting immigrants in California. Responding to these concerns, California recently became the first state to ban most law enforcement officers—including federal immigration agents—from covering their faces while performing official duties.
The indictment and ongoing case highlight the tensions between immigration enforcement efforts and activist responses amid heightened national debate.
https://fox5sandiego.com/news/world-news/ap-international/ap-federal-indictment-charges-3-activists-with-alleged-doxing-of-ice-agent-in-los-angeles/
**Mumbai Police Arrest Five Bangladeshi Nationals for Illegal Residency**
The Jogeshwari police arrested five Bangladeshi nationals on September 16 and 19 for allegedly residing illegally in India. Among them, Salim Molla, 38, an electrician by profession, resides in Dahisar West, while the other four individuals live in Mira Road East.
—
**Details of the Arrests**
Jogeshwari police received information regarding the arrival of a Bangladeshi national within their jurisdiction. Acting on this tip-off, the police laid a trap opposite the MMRDA colony, Jogeshwari East, on September 16. When the suspect arrived at the location, police detained him.
Upon interrogation, the suspect was identified as Salim Molla, who revealed that he has been living in India without proper documentation for some time.
—
**Further Arrests in Mira Road East**
During the interrogation, Salim Molla disclosed that four more Bangladeshi nationals were residing illegally in Mira Road East. Following this lead, on September 19, police arrested these four individuals.
The four arrested have been identified as:
– Nannu Shaikh, 32
– Rukhsana Shaikh, 30
– Mehek Shaikh, 9
– Mariyamsofy, 5
All four hail from Navagram village in Bangladesh, while Salim Molla is originally from Suktagram village, Bangladesh. Nannu and Rukhsana were reportedly engaged in odd jobs, and the two minors are their daughters.
—
After completing the necessary legal procedures, the Jogeshwari police will deport the five individuals back to Bangladesh.
—
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https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-news-jogeshwari-police-arrest-2-bangladeshi-nationals-for-illegal-stay-to-be-deported
A Savvy Traveler’s Journey to Ireland in 1953
By Jannet L. Walsh
—
In 1953, a savvy traveler from rural Minnesota packed a portable 35mm camera, Kodachrome slide film, and other essentials for world travel. That traveler was my father.
My late father, Martin J. Walsh Jr.—nicknamed Marty to avoid confusion with his father, Martin J. Walsh Sr.—made our family’s first known return trip home to Ireland that year. He documented his adventures with Kodachrome film and his Clarus 35mm camera.
A native of Murdock, Minnesota, my father was 28 in 1953 and working as a railroad telegrapher, communicating by Morse code for the Great Northern and Burlington Northern Railroad — a career he maintained from 1943 to 1984 as the company evolved to Burlington Northern Railroad.
Our family belongs to a predominantly Irish immigrant community in De Graff, a small town in rural Swift County, Minnesota. They arrived in the late 1800s as part of a settlement initiative led by Archbishop John Ireland of Saint Paul. Archbishop Ireland helped establish a series of ten villages across five counties in western Minnesota between 1875 and 1885, providing Irish Catholic families like mine an opportunity to escape urban slums by resettling in farmlands.
Growing up, my father often reminded us, “We are Archbishop John Ireland’s people.” It was a striking coincidence that the Archbishop’s last name matched the country our ancestors had left behind in the mid-1800s.
Today, I live just three miles from De Graff, in the same house where my father was born in 1924. You can learn more about De Graff and the historic Church of St. Bridget via the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service website. Additionally, the Library of Congress in Washington, DC, offers a detailed presentation on Irish-Catholic immigration to America, providing deeper insights into this significant chapter of history.
—
### A Father’s Legacy Preserved in Kodachrome
Though my father was not a professional photographer, his incredible 1953 Kodachrome images survive today, giving us a rare glimpse into his expedition to Ireland. His love of travel and photography inspired both my brother, Paul M. Walsh, and me, as we pursued careers in photojournalism and media.
Because he carefully documented what he encountered, I now know much more about my father’s journey than I otherwise might. You can view many of Martin J. Walsh Jr.’s photographs of Ireland [here on Flickr](#).
I imagine my father as a proud young man with the incredible opportunity to see his family’s homeland for the first time. On one Kodachrome slide from May 16, 1953, he wrote, “My pockets full,” capturing the feeling of anticipation and preparation as he stayed across from Saint Stephen’s Green at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin.
—
### Passport Details and the “Black Irish” Mystery
My father’s U.S. passport, issued on February 6, 1953, lists no wife or children. The description notes he was 5 feet 11 inches tall, with brown hair, hazel eyes, and no distinguishing marks. Born in Murdock, Minnesota, his occupation was recorded as telegraph operator.
Interestingly, although his passport didn’t mention it, my father would refer to himself as “Black Irish” when I was a child. Although he was clearly Caucasian, with freckles suggesting he carried rare red hair genes, the term “Black Irish” typically describes people of Irish ancestry with black hair and dark eyes. The theory suggests such people may descend from shipwrecked Spanish traders. (Learn more about this fascinating theory [here](#).)
—
### The Journey to Ireland
In 1953, travel to Europe opened up significantly after World War II. My father’s journey began by train departing Willmar, Minnesota, according to my grandfather’s diary. Eventually, he landed by plane in Belfast, Northern Ireland, with a stopover for refueling in Gander, Newfoundland, Canada. This stopover was necessary in early postwar transatlantic air travel.
American Express offices facilitated communications, enabling him to stay in touch with family back home, receiving letters and local news from Murdock, including updates from the Catholic parish.
Gander’s strategic location later made its airport a designated alternate landing site for NASA’s Space Shuttle program—a fascinating twist of history that my father, flying from rural Minnesota, likely never anticipated.
—
### Exploring Ireland’s Landscapes and Heritage
During his trip, my father visited Killarney in County Kerry, an area linked to our family roots. Although he didn’t locate the farm I discovered in 2018 located in the Townland of Dromkerry, County Kerry, he did capture the stunning surrounding landscapes — views of the Gap of Dunloe, the Lakes of Killarney, the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, and Purple Mountain ranges.
His photos show a three-hour pony and trap ride through the Gap of Dunloe, as well as scenic railway stations, mountain vistas, and country landscapes.
—
### Dublin and The Quiet Man Connection
While staying at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin, my father photographed scenes after rain, including views from his hotel room overlooking Saint Stephen’s Green.
He traveled extensively by train and tour bus around Ireland—visiting Dublin, Galway, Limerick, and sites where the 1952 film *The Quiet Man* was shot. The movie, featuring John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, and Barry Fitzgerald, is a cultural touchstone for many Irish Americans. My father’s Kodachrome slides include images of John Wayne’s house and other film locations in Galway.
I wouldn’t be surprised if *The Quiet Man* inspired or strengthened my father’s desire to explore his family’s Irish heritage. Incidentally, in January 2019, I had the unique experience of watching *The Quiet Man* from my hotel room while staying at the Shelbourne Hotel—something unimaginable during my father’s trip. Unlike my father, I didn’t have a window view of Saint Stephen’s Green, but rather a courtyard view and the Irish flag waving from the rooftop.
—
### About the Author
Jannet L. Walsh of Murdock, Minnesota, is a photographer, writer, and educator. She is the author of the forthcoming creative nonfiction quest narrative *Higgledy-Piggledy Stones: Family Stories from Ireland and Minnesota*, scheduled for publication in 2022 by Shanti Arts Publishing. She has also compiled the *Irish Genealogy Toolkit*, a comprehensive list of resources for researching your Irish roots.
You can follow Jannet Walsh on [Facebook](#) and [Twitter](#).
—
*Originally published in 2022 and updated in September 2025.*
https://www.irishcentral.com/opinion/others/ireland-images-kodachrome
A transnational baby-trafficking ring has drawn Singapore into the spotlight, with three Singapore citizens currently under investigation by Indonesian authorities. The Indonesian National Police allege that 15 babies were sent to Singapore under falsified adoption papers, with each infant fetching around $20,000.
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has pledged full cooperation, including questioning witnesses and tracing suspects through Interpol. So far, 22 people have been charged in Indonesia, with operations linked to West Java, Jakarta, and Pontianak. The syndicate allegedly profited by covering delivery and care costs before pocketing the remaining funds.
This case has sparked widespread outrage, with child protection groups calling it one of the most serious trafficking scandals in the region.
—
In a separate development, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is reviewing its processes after a woman overstayed in Singapore for more than 28 years without detection. Yu Zefang, 60, was sentenced on 1 September to six months’ jail and fined $2,000, according to local media reports.
Yu had surrendered in December 2024, expressing her wish to return to China. She entered Singapore in 1995 on a student pass but absconded in 1996 after her special pass expired. She remained in the country to care for her daughter, who later became a permanent resident.
Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam told Parliament that Yu avoided detection by living off the grid—with no fixed address, no formal employment, and no use of public services. This case, believed to be the longest overstay in Singapore’s history, has raised questions about systemic gaps in immigration monitoring.
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Meanwhile, a government scheme designed to support jobless Singaporeans has come under scrutiny after most applicants were rejected. The SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme, launched in April, has received 7,200 applications, but 60 percent were rejected, mainly because applicants did not meet criteria such as involuntary unemployment or the $5,000 income cap.
During Parliamentary sessions, MPs questioned whether the scheme adequately supports freelancers, contract workers, and those who left jobs under complex circumstances.
Senior Minister of State Koh Poh Koon responded that the scheme is regularly reviewed and allows for appeals, but its focus must remain on individuals facing sudden financial shocks.
The Ministry of Manpower and Workforce Singapore are proactively engaging with employers and the labour movement to increase awareness of the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme. Efforts include verifying unemployment claims directly with former employers and encouraging companies undergoing retrenchments to assist their employees in applying for support.
Read more about the questions raised in Parliament regarding the fairness of the Jobseeker Support Scheme here.
—
Singapore’s fresh graduates are entering an increasingly crowded job market, with 2,400 more graduates competing for roles this year. The result is sharper competition and rising anxiety among new entrants.
Even as employment rates improve to 52 percent, 1,700 more graduates remain unemployed compared to 2024. These numbers highlight a growing comfort gap in graduate employment.
To address this, the government has launched GRIT and GRIT@Gov, offering 800 traineeships lasting three to six months. These programmes include allowances co-funded by the state. Officials say these schemes are a preemptive effort to reassure graduates and help them gain industry experience while waiting for permanent roles.
Additionally, structured pathways for skilled trades are being developed to broaden career options beyond traditional graduate jobs.
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Stay tuned for more updates on these evolving stories.
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/live/3-singaporeans-under-probe-in-cross-border-baby-trafficking-case-ica-reviews-lapses-after-woman-overstayed-28-years-undetected-singapore-live-news-013113627.html
Days after United States President Donald Trump signed a proclamation mandating a USD 100,000 fee for each new H-1B visa petition filed after September 21, Congress leader and Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor criticised the move, calling it an attempt to appease Trump’s “so-called MAGA” supporters, reported ANI.
Speaking to ANI on Monday, Shashi Tharoor stated that the sudden surge in H-1B visa fees is driven by domestic political considerations in the US. Trump aims to rally support from his anti-immigration base ahead of the upcoming US legislative elections scheduled for November. “Once again, the motivations are primarily rooted in domestic politics,” Tharoor said.
Trump believes—as those around him have convinced him—that the ease of obtaining an H-1B visa has allowed many American workers, who merit higher wages, to be overlooked in favour of Indians willing to work for less, Tharoor told ANI.
Linking the policy shift to broader political sentiment in the US, Tharoor noted, “At present, the dominant political current within the so-called MAGA movement is overtly anti-immigration, particularly targeting visible minorities—individuals of different ethnic backgrounds who are not part of the white mainstream.”
The former Union minister added that Trump’s supporters perceive Indian professionals as undercutting the wages of American workers by accepting lower pay. “An Indian tech worker earning sixty thousand dollars annually is, in the eyes of Trump’s backers, displacing an American who would refuse to work for anything less than eighty-five to ninety thousand dollars,” Tharoor explained, according to ANI.
He further stated that only the top-tier, highly skilled, irreplaceable professionals—those genuinely worth the hundred-thousand-dollar cost to employers—will continue to be brought in.
Tharoor also warned that this policy might ultimately harm the US economy. “The natural outcome will be job outsourcing. Tasks once performed in America will now be handled by multinational units in Europe or by global capability centres in India,” he said.
He pointed out that Indian tech professionals might still perform the same tasks for American firms, just remotely from India rather than from within the US.
Expressing concern for Indian IT firms, Shashi Tharoor emphasized that the steep visa fee structure could render many contracts financially unfeasible. “We simply cannot afford to pay one hundred thousand dollars per person for a low-end contract,” he remarked.
(with ANI inputs)
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/us-h-1b-visa-news-h-1b-visa-fee-hike-driven-by-donald-trumps-domestic-politics-shashi-tharoor-23595399
New Delhi: The impact of the H-1B visa application fee hike to $100,000 is expected to be limited on Indian IT services firms, given their reduced reliance on H-1B visas over the past decade through increased localisation and offshoring, a report said on Tuesday. However, the medium-term implications could be more pronounced.
The elevated cost of delivery in the US may lead to a structurally higher cost base, prompting firms to reassess their operating models and explore mitigation strategies, said a Franklin Templeton report. The extent of impact could vary depending on a company’s US exposure, onsite workforce mix, and reliance on non-local talent.
Historically, visa-related challenges have stemmed more from executive actions than legislative changes, with cost pressures already rising in earlier phases of visa tightening. Importantly, supply-side disruptions tend to be more damaging in high-growth environments—conditions that are not currently in play.
“As H-1B lotteries and petitions typically occur in Q4–Q1, the earliest material impact is likely to be reflected in FY27 petition cycles. In response, providers are expected to accelerate offshoring, expand nearshore operations in Canada and Mexico, pursue acquisitions in Europe and APAC to diversify geographically, and invest in automation and AI to enhance productivity,” the report mentioned.
These shifts are likely to make Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India increasingly attractive to talent, especially as onsite opportunities decline and clients demand better rate realisation and efficiency gains.
India’s equity markets may experience some near-term volatility, but overall valuations remain broadly elevated versus historical averages. However, valuations for the IT sector have corrected in the last 6–12 months due to a weak demand outlook.
The outlook for overall corporate earnings in Indian markets is improving, supported by a recovery in domestic consumption and a gradual pickup in private sector capital expenditure.
“While global risks—such as US tariffs—pose short-term challenges for export-driven sectors, India’s macroeconomic fundamentals continue to be resilient,” said the report.
Looking ahead, the potential conclusion of a trade agreement with the US in the second half of 2025, combined with strengthening domestic demand and improving earnings visibility, could act as positive catalysts for the market over the coming quarters, it added.
*Disclaimer: This story is from the syndicated feed. Nothing has changed except the headline.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/business/indian-it-firms-shielded-from-100000-h-1b-visa-fee-hike-localisation-offshoring-strategies-boost-independence
**Trump’s New H-1B Visa Fee Will Drive Start-Ups to India: Amitabh Kant**
*By Akash Pandey | September 20, 2025, 03:07 PM*
Amitabh Kant, former G20 Sherpa and ex-CEO of NITI Aayog, has voiced strong opinions regarding US President Donald Trump’s newly announced H-1B visa policy. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Kant highlighted that the proposed $100,000 annual fee per H-1B visa worker would stifle innovation within the United States while providing a significant boost to India’s rapidly growing startup ecosystem.
According to Kant, by effectively shutting its doors to global talent, America risks shifting technology labs and startups to Indian cities such as Bangalore, Pune, Gurugram, and Hyderabad. He emphasized that this policy shift presents a unique opportunity for India’s top doctors, engineers, scientists, and innovators to contribute meaningfully to the country’s developmental goals.
### An Opportunity for a ‘Viksit Bharat’
Kant described the new US visa restrictions as a potential catalyst for India’s ambition to become a developed nation—often referred to as ‘Viksit Bharat’. With Indian professionals historically dominating the H-1B visa program, the move could propel domestic innovation and entrepreneurship at home.
Last year, Indian nationals accounted for approximately 71% of approved H-1B visa beneficiaries, according to official government data. This statistic underscores the pivotal role Indian talent has played in shaping the US technology landscape.
### Understanding the New H-1B Policy
The Trump administration’s executive order aims to curb abuses of the H-1B program and prioritize American workers. The new rules apply to both new applications and renewals, introducing a steep $100,000 annual fee per skilled worker under the visa program. Additionally, a “gold card” program has been launched, offering expedited visas for wealthy investors willing to invest up to $2 million in the US economy.
Major technology companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta have historically received thousands of H-1B approvals under the previous rules, leveraging global talent to drive growth.
### Potential Impact on US Industries
These changes, which take effect from September 21, 2025, could severely affect several crucial sectors in the US, including healthcare, higher education, and technology. The steep fees may deter companies from hiring skilled international workers, potentially leading to talent shortages.
While the new policy is expected to face legal challenges, if upheld, it would significantly increase the cost of employing foreign professionals under the H-1B program.
### Global Talent Shift: ‘America’s Loss, India’s Gain’
Amitabh Kant’s remarks serve as a strong endorsement of India’s ability to fill the innovation void that might be created by America’s tighter immigration rules. He stated, “America’s loss will be India’s gain,” underscoring the vast pool of Indian doctors, engineers, scientists, and innovators who are now positioned to contribute substantially to India’s growth story.
As the H-1B program remains a critical gateway for Indian engineers and professionals impacting the global tech industry, the evolving US visa landscape could reshape the innovation map, favoring India’s burgeoning technology hubs.
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*Stay tuned for more updates and in-depth analyses on global tech and policy shifts.*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/world/trump-s-h-1b-fee-hurts-us-but-helps-india-amitabh-kant/story
