KL Rahul’s unbeaten 42-run knock off 32 balls, including two sixes and two fours, was powered by an SG company bat. These bats are famed for their quality and performance

Thousands of Indians in the United States, who migrated as minors under the H-4 visa, now face an uncertain future as they approach the age of 21. Under current immigration laws in the US, they will no longer qualify as dependents of their H1-B visa-holder parents. Until now, they had two years to transition to another visa status after ‘ageing out,’ but recent shifts in immigration policy have thrown their future into doubt.

Many are now exploring other options, including immigrating to countries like Canada or the UK, which have more flexible policies. The massive backlog in the US employment-based green card system disproportionately affects Indian immigrants. 

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced the registration period for H-1B visas for fiscal year 2026. The process opens on March 7 and runs through March 24. The H-1B visa, a non-immigrant visa, allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialised occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.

The H-1B cap remains 65,000 visas per year, with an additional 20,000 for applicants with US master’s degrees. The USCIS has introduced a beneficiary-centric selection process to reduce fraud and ensure fair selection. The new registration fee is $215.

According to a Times of India report, as of March 2023, nearly 1.34 lakh Indian children were expected to age out of dependent visa status before their families secured green cards. The backlog in the US immigration system means many will face long waits for permanent residency, with some applications projected to take anywhere between 12 to 100 years.

A recent ruling from a Texas court blocking work permits for new applicants under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program has worsened the situation. DACA provides temporary, renewable two-year protection from deportation for undocumented youth, including those who lose dependent status after turning 21. Without this provision, many Indian youth now fear an uncertain future.

US Senator Bernie Sanders, a leading progressive, had criticised the H-1B program earlier this year, arguing that it primarily benefits corporations by bringing in lower-paid foreign workers instead of hiring Americans.

“The main function of the H-1B program is not to hire ‘the best and the brightest’ but rather to replace good-paying American jobs with hundreds of thousands of lower-paid guest workers from abroad who are often treated as indentured servants,” Mr Sanders said. 

Mr Sanders has proposed an amendment to the Laken Riley Act, aiming to double H-1B visa fees to generate $370 million annually, funding nearly 20,000 scholarships for American students in STEM fields. He has also proposed to increase wages for H-1B workers to at least the median local wage, preventing companies from undercutting American salaries.

Mr Sanders also took aim at billionaires like Tesla owner Elon Musk and Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy for their support of the H-1B program.

“Elon Musk, the wealthiest man in the world, and other multi-billionaires claim the H-1B program is vital due to a shortage of highly skilled workers. In my view, they are dead wrong,” he said. 

Citing Economic Policy Institute data, he said that between 2022 and 2023, the top 30 H-1B employers laid off 85,000 American workers while hiring over 34,000 guest workers.

Kannada actor Ranya Rao, arrested after 14 kg gold bars worth Rs 14.56 crore were seized from her at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, visited Dubai 27 times in a year. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials have said the 14.2 kg haul is one of the largest gold seizures at the Bengaluru airport in recent times.

Ms Rao, the stepdaughter of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, was arrested on Monday night by the officers of DRI. The agency, which operates under the Ministry of Finance, had been monitoring her movements due to her frequent trips to Dubai. 

The Customs sought four-day custody of the 33-year-old actor during the hearing of her bail petition. Objecting to this, her lawyer said that Ranya Rao was sent to judicial custody (from March 4 to March 18) as the DRI had no further questions for her. “Now, when she has moved a bail petition, the Custom department needs her custody,” the lawyer said. The court has reserved the custody order for tomorrow.

‘Lakhs In Commission For Smuggling 1 Kg Gold’

The investigation into the case has revealed that Ms Rao was a part of the gold smuggling network and took hefty commissions to smuggle goods from Dubai to Bengaluru, reported news agency Indo-Asian News Service. The actor allegedly received around Rs 4 lakh to Rs 5 lakh in commission to smuggle one kilogram of gold from Dubai to Bengaluru, according to the report.

After the seizure at the Bengaluru airport, searches were conducted at Ranya Rao’s home and gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to Rs 2.67 crore were also recovered, the DRI said on Wednesday.

“Following the interception, DRI officers searched her residence on Lavelle Road, Bengaluru, where she lives with her husband. The search led to the seizure of gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to Rs 2.67 crore,” the DRI said in a statement.

“Shocked And Devastated”

Distancing himself from the case, the actor’s stepfather said he was unaware of Ms Rao and her husband’s business dealings and that the law would take its course.

 “Like any other father, I was shocked and devastated when it came to my notice through the media. I was not aware of any of these things. I don’t want to say anything more,” Mr Rao said.

The Director-General of Police-rank officer also clarified that Ms Rao was not living with him. “She is living separately with her husband. There must be some problem between them… (maybe) due to some family issues,” he added.

Mr Rao is currently serving as the Chairman and Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd.

‘4 Dubai Trips In 15 Days’

On Monday, Ms Rao arrived from Dubai on an Emirates flight. Authorities grew suspicious after noticing that she had travelled to Dubai four times in 15 days, prompting a targeted operation upon her return.

She had allegedly smuggled the gold by wearing a significant portion of it and concealing gold bars in her clothing, investigators revealed.

Investigations into the case also suggest that she “used her connections” to bypass security at the airport.

She was produced before a special court for financial offences, which remanded her to judicial custody till March 18. 

Authorities are investigating whether she was acting alone or was part of a larger smuggling network operating between Dubai and India.

Ranya Rao, who has appeared in several South Indian films, featured opposite Kannada superstar Sudeep in ‘Maanikya’ in 2014.