TheRepublic.com - Passports and visas News

Committee nears final big immigration decisions

Tue, 21 May 2013 03:02:15 -0400

WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee hopes to nail down an elusive compromise on high-tech visas and may punt a controversy over gay marriage to the full Senate as it makes final drafting decisions on immigration legislation that grants a shot at citizenship to millions living in the country illegally.

More wealthy Chinese buy Seattle-area real estate

Sun, 19 May 2013 15:51:43 -0400

HUNTS POINT, Washington - Real estate agent Joseph Ho climbed the gilded staircase of a Hunts Point mansion listed for almost $5?million, shooting video on his iPad and narrating in Chinese.

Canada trying to lure Silicon Valley tech workers

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:24:09 -0400

SAN JOSE, California - The Canadian government has launched an aggressive campaign to lure Silicon Valley tech workers frustrated by U.S. visa policies northward, just as Congress wrestles with a long-sought overhaul of America's immigration system.

INFLUENCE GAME: Tech, labor spar on immigration

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:40:45 -0400

WASHINGTON - To the U.S. technology industry, there's a dramatic shortfall in the number of Americans skilled in computer programming and engineering that is hampering business. To unions and some Democrats, it's more sinister: The push by Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg to expand the number of visas for high-tech foreign workers is an attempt to dilute a lucrative job market with cheap, indentured labor.

Senate panel approves bill to create national ID

Wed, 15 May 2013 20:35:42 -0400

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - Louisiana driver's licenses would be used to comply with federal law requiring each state to create a national identification card for air travel, including domestic flights, under a proposal inserted Wednesday into a House bill by the Senate Transportation Committee.

Republicans question security in immigration bill

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:12:13 -0400

WASHINGTON - Republican senators criticized border security provisions in a new immigration bill Tuesday, arguing that the landmark legislation can't pass Congress unless the measures are strengthened.

Idaho dairies keep tabs on immigration overhaul

Tue, 07 May 2013 14:51:42 -0400

TWIN FALLS, Idaho - As lawmakers in Congress begin debating an overhaul to the nation's immigration system, Idaho's dairy producers are taking note and hoping for changes that make it easier to manage and recruit a migrant workforce.

Nebraska travel panel makes plans for good year

Mon, 06 May 2013 11:37:40 -0400

LINCOLN, Nebraska - The Nebraska Travel Commission says statewide and local tourism and travel passport programs could help the state's travel industry surpass last year's success.

US extends Myanmar sanctions authority for 1 year

Thu, 02 May 2013 18:52:37 -0400

WASHINGTON - The Obama administration extended Thursday by one year targeted U.S. sanctions against Myanmar to prevent backsliding on democratic reforms.

Friends of bombing suspect in immigration court

Wed, 01 May 2013 10:58:28 -0400

BOSTON - Lawyers for two men friendly with the Boston Marathon bombing suspect say their clients have been extensively interviewed by federal investigators.

Russia had elder Boston suspect under surveillance

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:46:46 -0400

MAKHACHKALA, Russia - Russian agents placed the elder Boston bombing suspect under surveillance during a six-month visit to southern Russia last year, then scrambled to find him when he suddenly disappeared after police killed a Canadian jihadist, a security official told The Associated Press.

Fidel Castro's niece to get gay rights award in US

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:00:19 -0400

PHILADELPHIA - The daughter of Cuban President Raul Castro will be allowed to travel to Philadelphia to accept an award for her gay rights advocacy, officials said Tuesday, reversing a previous decision to reject her visa request.

Correction: Immigration-Utah story

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:57:40 -0400

SALT LAKE CITY - In a story April 22 about the reaction by Utah senators to the comprehensive immigration bill introduced in Congress, The Associated Press misstated Sen. Mike Lee's position on the immigration bill. Lee says if border security was the priority he might consider supporting a path to citizenship, not a guest worker component.

US immigration bill could slow Indian outsourcers

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 06:10:36 -0400

MUMBAI, India - Low cost efficiency put India's outsourcing companies at the heart of global business and created a multibillion dollar industry that for years has skated over criticism it was eliminating white collar jobs in rich nations. Now, the industry's long-held fears of a backlash are being realized in its crucial U.S. market.