US decision on H-1B, L-1 visas expected soon
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump confirmed on Saturday reports of an impending suspension of non-immigrant work visas such as H-1B and L-1, which impact Indian companies operating in the US and Indians hoping to work in that country the most, and said an announcement was expected “tomorrow or the next day”.
“We’re going to be announcing something tomorrow or the next day on visas,” Trump said to a Fox News interviewer when asked about his plans to suspend these visas, which have been reported widely, including by Hindustan Times.
“And I think it’s going to make a lot of people happy. And it’s common sense, to be honest with you.”
He refused to preview the details of the order, but linked it to the state of the economy, which is struggling with record unemployment numbers caused by the lockdown in large parts of the US to fight off the coronavirus pandemic.
“We have plenty of people looking for jobs,” he said.
Asked if there will be exclusions, or exemptions, the President said there will be some to protect the flow of workers for big businesses. He did not specify.
President Trump had suspended most categories of immigration in April, exempting relatives of US citizens and health care professionals, to “ensure that unemployed Americans of all backgrounds will be first in line for jobs as our economy reopens”. Non-immigrants visas were spared at the time, but they are due any day now.
NEWDELHI: Diesel price on Sunday hit a fresh record high after rates were hiked by 60 paise per litre while petrol price was up 35 paise, taking the cumulative increase in rates in 15 days to ₹8.88 a litre and ₹7.97 respectively.
Petrol price in Delhi was hiked to ₹79.23 per litre from ₹78.88, while diesel rates were increased to ₹78.27 a litre from ₹77.67.
Prior to this, diesel rates had touched the peak on October 16, 2018, when prices had climbed to ₹75.69 per litre in Delhi.
MEERUT: A day after the UP government suspended the annual Kanwar Yatra in the wake of prevailing Covid-19 pandemic, officials in Meerut and Saharanpur — the two main pilgrimage centres of the yatra— are anticipating a tough time ahead in conveying the decision to devotees.
“Spreading the message and convincing devotees would be a big challenge in the coming days,” said additional director general of police, Meerut zone, Rajeev Sabharwal. This year, the yatra was expected to start from July 5.