Indian Diaspora Group Urges US to Halt 4-Year Student Visa Cap, Warns of Impact on Researchers The Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (Fiids), an advocacy group representing the Indian diaspora, has called on the US Congress and Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to pause a new policy that imposes a four-year limit on F-1 student and J-1 exchange visitor visas. The group argues that the rule, set to take effect on September 15, could disrupt the academic and research trajectories of thousands of international students, including a significant number of Indian nationals studying in the United States. The policy, introduced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on July 17, replaces the previous “Duration of Status” system, which allowed students to remain in the US as long as they maintained valid academic status and met university requirements. Under the new framework, students must now apply for extensions after four years if they require additional time to complete their programs. Fiids contends that this approach fails to account for the realities of advanced education, particularly in research-intensive fields where degrees often extend beyond four years. For instance, bachelor’s degrees typically take around 52 months, while PhD programs can span nearly 5.7 years. The group emphasized that the policy could disproportionately affect Indian students, who constitute one of the largest international student communities in the US. Fiids warned that the requirement to seek extensions midway through academic programs could create uncertainty for researchers, universities, and technology companies.#department_of_homeland_security #markwayne_mullin #uscis #us_congress #foundation_for_india_and_indian_diaspora_studies
U.S. Congress Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Crypto ATM Scams U.S. Representatives María Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27) and Sean Casten (D-IL-06) announced today the introduction of the Stop Crypto ATM Scams Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at enhancing consumer protections, curbing fraud, and holding criminals accountable for exploiting cryptocurrency ATMs to target seniors and vulnerable Americans. The legislation seeks to address the growing threat of financial scams facilitated by these machines, which have become a primary tool for fraudsters to siphon funds from unsuspecting victims. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Americans lost over $333 million to crypto ATM scams in 2025, marking a 33 percent surge compared to the previous year. Older adults are particularly at risk, with individuals aged 60 and above accounting for more than 85 percent of reported losses linked to these scams. The bill’s proponents argue that the rise in such crimes underscores the urgent need for legislative action to safeguard seniors and other vulnerable populations. The Stop Crypto ATM Scams Act proposes several measures to combat these scams. It would establish new safeguards to prevent fraud, mandate stronger transparency requirements for crypto ATM operators, and equip law enforcement with additional tools to investigate and disrupt these schemes. The legislation also aims to ensure that victims receive clearer warnings and stronger protections before engaging with crypto ATM services. Rep. Salazar emphasized the personal impact of these scams on seniors, stating, “In South Florida, I have seen firsthand the devastating impact financial scams can have on seniors and their families. America’s seniors spent a lifetime working, saving, and planning for retirement.#south_florida #maria_elvira_salazar #federal_bureau_of_investigation #us_congress #sean_casten
