Simone Biles faces a lonely Christmas without Jonathan OwensIn a significant move, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an extension of the automatic work permit renewal period for H-4 and L-2 visa holders. The renewal term will now be a considerable 540 days instead of 180 days, as of January 13, 2025. Many spouses of H-1B and L-1 visa holders continue to experience delays in job authorization; the updated regulation attempts to address this problem. Employment Authorization Document (EAD) renewal applications that were filed on or after May 4, 2022, or that were ongoing, are subject to the new regulation. People affected by lengthy processing timeframes applauded the extension, especially those working in corporate and technical sectors that depend significantly on foreign experts. Given that a sizable fraction of H-1B and L-1 visa holders are from India, the adjustment is anticipated to benefit a huge number of people. Concerns over the disturbance brought on by processing delays prompted the DHS to take this action. By extending the work permit's validity, qualified applicants will be able to keep their jobs while awaiting EAD renewals by avoiding gaps in employment authorization. DHS Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas stressed that this reform would lower administrative barriers, which would help companies and employees alike and boost the American economy. "This decision will help eliminate red tape and ensure individuals eligible for employment can continue contributing to our communities," Mayorkas said. Ur M. Jaddou, Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), further highlighted that the change is part of ongoing efforts to streamline the immigration process and support the national economy. Understanding the H-1B, H-4, L-1, and L-2 VisasEmployers in the United States can recruit foreign experts in specialized sectors like technology, engineering, and finance by using the H-1B visa, which is a non-immigrant visa. A bachelor's degree is usually required for these positions. However, spouses and unmarried children under 21 of H-1B visa holders are eligible for the H-4 visa. Although family companionship is the main purpose of the visa, certain H-4 holders are able to apply for work permission. Employees in executive, management, or specialized knowledge positions are transferred to U.S. branches of foreign corporations using the L-1 visa. Executives and managers are under the L-1A category, whereas workers with specific expertise fall under the L-1B category. Dependents of L-1 visa holders, such as wives and children under 21, are eligible to work while in the United States and are awarded L-2 visas. Significant Benefits for Indian NationalsThe majority of people with H-1B and L-1 visas are Indian. 72% of all H-1B visa holders in fiscal year 2023 were Indian citizens. In 2024, the pattern persisted, with 72.3% of the 386,000 H-1B visas granted to Indian immigrants. Given the preponderance of Indian H-1B holders in the United States, the overlap is significant even if the number of H-4 visas granted to Indians is not publicly available. The United States granted 83,277 L-2 and 76,671 L-1 visas in 2023. Although there are no precise nationality breakdowns for these groups, it is generally acknowledged that a sizable portion are Indian. These visa holders will be significantly impacted by the prolongation of the automatic work permit renewal term, especially those who rely on their spouses' income and want to keep their careers stable in the United States. XIPHIAS Immigration's managing director, Varun Singh, underlined the significance of the ruling, pointing out that it will give thousands of Indian families much-needed relief. "For families relying on dual incomes and professionals striving to maintain career continuity in the U.S., this decision ensures stability and financial security," Singh stated. Implications for U.S. Economy and Immigration SystemIt is anticipated that the policy shift would have wider effects on the American economy and immigration system. The new regulation will minimize labor disruptions and promote economic stability by eliminating a significant obstacle in work permit renewals. Employees won't have to worry about their jobs being interrupted because of processing delays, while employers will benefit from less delays and ambiguity over their workers' work authorization status. American businesses, especially those in the engineering and technology fields, mostly depend on highly qualified foreign workers. By guaranteeing that their personnel is retained without experiencing any job gaps, this policy move seeks to assist them. The U.S. government's larger initiatives to expedite the immigration process include the lengthening of the work permit renewal term. Employers and candidates have historically been plagued by red tape, which the USCIS is still working to remove. Since the U.S. economy depends on thousands of highly qualified workers from across the globe, the government understands how crucial it is to have an effective immigration system in place to guarantee the nation's continuous development and competitiveness in the global market. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News, World and around the world.
Pay first, deliver later: Some women are being asked to prepay for their babyGold is heading for one of its biggest annual gains this century, with a 27 per cent advance that’s been fuelled by US monetary easing, sustained geopolitical risks and a wave of purchases by central banks. While bullion has ticked lower since Donald Trump’s sweeping victory in November’s US presidential election, its gains over 2024 still outstrip most other commodities. Base metals have had a mixed year, while iron ore has tumbled and lithium’s woes have deepened. The varied performances over 2024 highlight the absence of a single, over-riding driver that’s steered the complex’s fortunes, while also putting the spotlight on how metals, both base and precious, may fare next year. For 2025, investors are focused on uncertainty around US monetary policy, potential frictions from Trump’s presidency, and China’s efforts to revive growth. Gold’s strong gains this year — which have seen the metal set a succession of records — may signal a possible shift in the market’s dynamics given they have come despite a stronger US dollar and rising real Treasury yields, both typically headwinds. The precious metal has been “as remarkable as it’s been relentless, making it my biggest market surprise of 2024,” David Scutt, an analyst at StoneX Group said in a note. “The gold game looks to have changed.” Other metals have struggled in large part because of China’s prolonged economic slowdown. The LMEX Index of six metals on the London Metal Exchange is on track for a modest annual gain, with softer Chinese demand offset by flashes of supply stress — especially in copper and zinc — that may linger into 2025. Iron ore has slumped as weak construction activity plunged China’s steel industry, the world’s biggest, into crisis mode with little relief in sight. Futures in Singapore are down about 28 per cent over 2024. Lithium — used to make batteries — is on track for a second steep annual decline as a serious and ongoing global supply glut was compounded by turbulence for the electric-vehicle industry. BloombergCalifornia couple killed in violent Mexican town were visiting for holidays
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Dismiss Trump taunts, expert says after 'churlish' social media posts about Canada OTTAWA — U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and those in his corner continue to muse about annexing Canada, though Canadian officials have largely sidestepped those comments. Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press Dec 24, 2024 12:02 PM Dec 24, 2024 12:05 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message President-elect Donald Trump speaks at AmericaFest, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) OTTAWA — U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and those in his corner continue to muse about annexing Canada, though Canadian officials have largely sidestepped those comments. In a post on the social media platform X, Eric Trump shared a doctored photo of his father purchasing Canada, Greenland and the Panama Canal on Amazon, with the phrase "We are so back!!!" Since winning the presidential election in November, Trump has repeatedly referred to Canada as the "51st state." On Trump's Truth Social platform, he's also repeatedly referred to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the "governor" of Canada. Trump has also threatened 25 per cent tariffs against Canada, which has prompted discussions at both the federal and provincial levels on the best way to deal with the incoming Trump government. Carleton University professor Aaron Ettinger said federal officials have rightly been dismissing the social-media posts and maintained a "focus like a laser beam" on the real and "existential threat" of tariffs. "This strikes me as being profoundly unserious," said Ettinger, who has studied Canada-U.S. relations during the first Trump presidency. "These are taunts; these are churlish provocations that are not mature, and do not reflect just how serious the coming trade war is," he said. Ettinger said Trump is likely continually posting about Canada because it plays well to his supporters, without being seen as a real threat of annexation. "We know his moves. He makes fun of, he belittles, he mocks, because he can," he said. But he said that a vacuum of leadership in Ottawa from embattled Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is spurring "the freelancing of some of the provincial leaders" in response to Trump's comments. For example, Ontario Premier Doug Ford weighed in on Trump's postings on Dec. 18, telling media that "we'll never be the 51st state. We're Canada; we're proud to be Canadians. We'll always fight for that." Ettinger said civil society is similarly better to focus on convincing Americans to not impose damaging tariffs on Canada, instead of amping up anti-Trump rhetoric. "Canadians should worry first about what Canada's actual national interests are," he said. "We're not going to out-trash talk Donald Trump, so don't even bother trying and focus instead on the core stuff that really matters." In response to Trump's threats, the Trudeau Liberal government has unveiled a $1.3 billion spending package over six years to address Trump's threats, which concern border security and the flow of illegal drugs into the United States. Canada's ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman has repeatedly characterized Trump's comments as gentle ribbing between two close countries. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said on Dec. 13 that she has quipped to Republican senators that they could join Canada as the eleventh province. Greenland's head of government, Múte Bourup Egede, suggested that Trump's latest calls to purchase the territory from Denmark would be as meaningless as those made in his first term. "Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale," he said in a statement. "We must not lose our years-long fight for freedom." Panama President José Raúl Mulino has also rebuffed Trump's musing about taking over the Panama Canal. "Every square metre of the canal belongs to Panama and will continue to," he said in a video, to which Trump fired back on his social media site, "We'll see about that!" This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 24, 2024. — With files from The Associated Press Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More National Business S&P/TSX composite up on shorter Christmas Eve session, U.S. markets also rise Dec 24, 2024 11:44 AM CPKC exceeded grain revenue limit: Canadian Transportation Agency Dec 24, 2024 11:21 AM Stock market today: Wall Street rallies ahead of Christmas Dec 24, 2024 10:12 AM Featured Flyer