US announces 1.5-year extension for some expiring immigrant work permits

 The extension period of up to 180 days will automatically be extended to up to 540 days from the expiration date stated on the current EADs, the Department of Homeland Security said.

The Biden administration has announced that certain categories of immigrants, including those seeking green cards and spouses of H-1B visa holders, would be permitted to use their expired work permits for an additional 18 months, offering a reprieve to thousands of Indians working in this country and prevent further disruption for US employers. A Green Card, known officially as a Permanent Resident Card, is a document issued to immigrants as evidence that the bearer has been granted the privilege of residing permanently in the US.

The move announced by the Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday will go into effect from May 4, 2022. The extension period of up to 180 days will automatically be extended to up to 540 days from the expiration date stated on the current Employment Authorisation Cards (EADs), the Department of Homeland Security said. “As USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) works to address the pending EAD caseloads, the agency has determined that the current 180-day automatic extension for employment authorisation is currently insufficient,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou.

Native or outsider? Mob attack on 6 boys in Meghalaya reignites the debate

The incident has provoked widespread discussion across Shillong, putting issues like land rights and illegal immigrants back on the front burner

The recent attack on six boys from the Bengali community in Shillong has reignited the ‘native’ versus ‘outsiders’ debate in the Indian state of Meghalaya. The deeply entrenched idea that only indigenous people — known as ‘tribals’ — should have rights to stay, own land or secure good jobs there, is contributing to the marginalisation of people who aren't originally from the area.

A hilly state whose name means “the abode of clouds” in Sanskrit, Meghalaya is an epicentre for many of North East India's indigenous tribes. Bordering both the Indian state of Assam and neighbouring Bangladesh, the three indigenous communities of Khasi, Garo and Jayantia comprise about 83 per cent of the state's population. Its non-indigenous community includes Bengali, Nepali and other Indian communities, like Sikhs, Biharis, and the Marwadi people.

The Bengali youth were attacked — allegedly by a 20-person-strong mob — on July 3, when they went to play basketball in the Lawsohtun district of Shillong. On Twitter, the Meghalaya police confirmed the report and appealed to eyewitnesses to assist. The incident has provoked widespread discussion across Shillong, putting issues like land rights and illegal immigrants back on the front burner.

In an article for the Assam Tribune, journalist Patricia Mukhim raised concerns about rising inter-community conflicts in Meghalaya, but several netizens criticised her stance, alleging that she is trying to sully the indigenous community by ascribing racist motives to the incident.

Who are the ‘outsiders'?

The xenophobic narrative in Shillong took root during Britain's colonisation of India, when Meghalaya was part of Assam. From 1864 to 1874, officials from West Bengal were brought in to help with administrative work; many of them settled in various parts of Assam....Read More