A US federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration's policy freezing green card applications from 75 countries was unlawful, dealing a significant setback to President Donald Trump's immigration agenda.

The ruling, issued by US District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington, D.C., found that the State Department's "public charge" policy exceeded the authority granted under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Introduced earlier this year by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the policy had largely halted immigrant visa processing for applicants from countries including Nigeria, Colombia, Russia, and Egypt.

The policy mainly affected family-sponsored immigrant visa applicants and some employment-based green card applicants. While the administration argued that the measure was intended to prevent immigrants from relying on public assistance, critics said it effectively blocked applications without proper individual review.

US Judge Blocks Trump Green Card Freeze | Major Setback for Trump's Immigration Policy

U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping immigration crackdown continues to generate intense debate across the United States and beyond. The administration's aggressive enforcement measures have triggered legal challenges, political opposition, and concerns from businesses facing workforce disruptions. Supporters argue the policies strengthen border security and immigration enforcement, while critics warn of economic, social, and humanitarian consequences. As court battles unfold and political tensions rise, the immigration debate remains at the center of national attention.

Trump's immigration crackdown sparks legal battles and workplace disruptions

The Trump administration is moving ahead with another immigration policy change that could significantly affect international students in the United States. The White House has cleared a proposed Department of Homeland Security regulation that would replace the long-standing "Duration of Status" system with fixed periods of authorised stay, effectively placing a time limit on student visas.&nbsp;If the proposal takes effect, many foreign students would no longer be allowed to remain in the US automatically for the full length of their academic programmes. Instead, those whose studies extend beyond the authorised period may need to apply for formal extensions, raising concerns about additional paperwork, delays and legal complications.&nbsp;Under the current "Duration of Status" system, students on F 1 visas, J 1 exchange visitors and certain other visa holders can stay in the United States as long as they remain enrolled in approved programmes and continue meeting visa requirements.&nbsp;The existing framework gives students flexibility to extend their studies, transfer between institutions, switch programmes and complete work opportunities such as Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT without requiring a new period of admission.&nbsp;According to Bloomberg, the proposed regulation would end this arrangement and introduce a fixed period of authorised stay, reportedly limited to four years for most students. The proposal has already been reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget, one of the final stages before formal publication and implementation.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/despite-iran-s-denial-trump-says-tehran-agreed-to-nuclear-inspections-rubio-rejects-hormuz-tolls-1782260904902">Despite Iran's denial, Trump says Tehran agreed to nuclear inspections; Rubio rejects Hormuz tolls</a><h2>Why Indian students could face a greater impact</h2>The proposed change is particularly important for Indian students, who currently make up the largest international student community in the United States.&nbsp;The Institute of International Education's Open Doors 2024 report shows that more than 331,000 Indian students were enrolled in US higher education during the 2023 to 2024 academic year, representing nearly 30 per cent of all international students in the country.&nbsp;Many Indian students pursue doctoral programmes, research-based master's degrees and professional courses that frequently last longer than four years. Under the proposed system, students whose studies extend beyond the fixed admission period may need approval from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services to remain in the country legally.&nbsp;The process could require additional documentation, biometric verification and closer scrutiny of applications.<h2>Concerns over uncertainty and legal risks</h2>The Association of American Universities, the American Council on Education and NAFSA have warned that fixed stay periods could create "a high degree of uncertainty" for students whose academic schedules often change because of research requirements, thesis work or programme transitions.&nbsp;The organisations also said universities could face a significantly higher administrative burden. Students relying on OPT may encounter additional difficulties if extension approvals are delayed during the transition from education to employment.&nbsp;Another major concern is what happens if a student fails to obtain an extension before the authorised stay expires. Under the proposal, students could begin accumulating unlawful presence immediately after their permitted stay ends.&nbsp;The Department of Homeland Security first advanced the proposal during President Donald Trump's first term, but it was never implemented. The plan was revived in 2025 and has now moved closer to becoming official policy.&nbsp;For now, existing regulations remain in place, and international students can continue staying in the United States under the current duration of status system until the final rule is formally published and takes effect.

Under the proposed rule, international students may need government approval to stay beyond a fixed visa period, potentially leading to more paperwork, delays and legal uncertainty.

The Trump administration is moving ahead with another immigration policy change that could significantly affect international students in the United States. The White House has cleared a proposed Department of Homeland Security regulation that would replace the long-standing "Duration of Status" system with fixed periods of authorised stay, effectively placing a time limit on student visas. If the proposal takes effect, many foreign students would no longer be allowed to remain in the US automatically for the full length of their academic programmes. Instead, those whose studies extend beyond the authorised period may need to apply for formal extensions, raising concerns about additional paperwork, delays and legal complications. Under the current "Duration of Status" system, students on F 1 visas, J 1 exchange visitors and certain other visa holders can stay in the United States as long as they remain enrolled in approved programmes and continue meeting visa requirements. The existing framework gives students flexibility to extend their studies, transfer between institutions, switch programmes and complete work opportunities such as Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT without requiring a new period of admission. According to Bloomberg, the proposed regulation would end this arrangement and introduce a fixed period of authorised stay, reportedly limited to four years for most students. The proposal has already been reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget, one of the final stages before formal publication and implementation. Also Read: Despite Iran's denial, Trump says Tehran agreed to nuclear inspections; Rubio rejects Hormuz tolls Why Indian students could face a greater impact The proposed change is particularly important for Indian students, who currently make up the largest international student community in the United States. The Institute of International Education's Open Doors 2024 report shows that more than 331,000 Indian students were enrolled in US higher education during the 2023 to 2024 academic year, representing nearly 30 per cent of all international students in the country. Many Indian students pursue doctoral programmes, research-based master's degrees and professional courses that frequently last longer than four years. Under the proposed system, students whose studies extend beyond the fixed admission period may need approval from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services to remain in the country legally. The process could require additional documentation, biometric verification and closer scrutiny of applications. Concerns over uncertainty and legal risks The Association of American Universities, the American Council on Education and NAFSA have warned that fixed stay periods could create "a high degree of uncertainty" for students whose academic schedules often change because of research requirements, thesis work or programme transitions. The organisations also said universities could face a significantly higher administrative burden. Students relying on OPT may encounter additional difficulties if extension approvals are delayed during the transition from education to employment. Another major concern is what happens if a student fails to obtain an extension before the authorised stay expires. Under the proposal, students could begin accumulating unlawful presence immediately after their permitted stay ends. The Department of Homeland Security first advanced the proposal during President Donald Trump's first term, but it was never implemented. The plan was revived in 2025 and has now moved closer to becoming official policy. For now, existing regulations remain in place, and international students can continue staying in the United States under the current duration of status system until the final rule is formally published and takes effect.

Under the proposed rule, international students may need government approval to stay beyond a fixed visa period, potentially leading to more paperwork, delays and legal uncertainty.

WION Horizons: US student visas may get 4-year cap: What it means for Indian students

After months of political wrangling over immigration enforcement and border security, the US Congress on Tuesday approved a $70 billion funding package that will support President Donald Trump's deportation and border control policies through the remainder of his term.&nbsp;The legislation passed the House of Representatives by a narrow 214 to 212 vote, largely along party lines, and now heads to the White House for Trump's signature.&nbsp;The bill allocates around $38 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), $26 billion for Border Patrol operations and another $5 billion to cover unexpected expenses.&nbsp;The funding is expected to provide long-term financial support for the administration's immigration enforcement efforts through fiscal year 2029.&nbsp;The controversial Trump deportation operations under ICE came under intense criticism after the record deaths of migrants in custody, as well as the high-profile shooting deaths of individuals like Renee Good and Alex Pretti during a Minneapolis crackdown, and broader concerns over the harsh treatment of long-term residents and non-criminal individuals in crowded detention facilities.&nbsp;&nbsp;Following the severe public backlash, the US President proposed changing the name of ICE to NICE (National Immigration and Customs Enforcement) in an effort to force critics and the media to use a more positive-sounding acronym during news broadcasts.&nbsp;Democrats opposed the measure, arguing that it gives the administration broad authority to expand enforcement operations without introducing additional oversight or restrictions.&nbsp;Republicans rejected those concerns and used the budget reconciliation process to advance the legislation.&nbsp;Reacting to the vote, House Speaker Mike Johnson described the legislation as a major victory for Republicans. "With today's vote, House and Senate Republicans have officially ended the third Democrat government shutdown of this Congress," Johnson said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-proposes-new-russia-sanctions-targets-firms-in-india-china-and-uae-1781038600755">EU proposes new Russia sanctions, targets firms in India, China and UAE</a><h2>Trump administration set to expand enforcement efforts</h2>The newly approved package comes in addition to nearly $140 billion that Congress approved last year for immigration enforcement under Trump's tax and spending legislation.&nbsp;The funding approval strengthens the administration's ability to continue its immigration agenda in the coming years.&nbsp;Trump's border chief, Tom Homan, has previously indicated that enforcement efforts could expand further, including possible operations in heavily Democratic areas such as New York City.

The package provides about $38 billion for ICE, $26 billion for Border Patrol and $5 billion for unexpected costs, on top of nearly $140 billion already approved by Congress last year for immigration enforcement.

After months of political wrangling over immigration enforcement and border security, the US Congress on Tuesday approved a $70 billion funding package that will support President Donald Trump's deportation and border control policies through the remainder of his term. The legislation passed the House of Representatives by a narrow 214 to 212 vote, largely along party lines, and now heads to the White House for Trump's signature. The bill allocates around $38 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), $26 billion for Border Patrol operations and another $5 billion to cover unexpected expenses. The funding is expected to provide long-term financial support for the administration's immigration enforcement efforts through fiscal year 2029. The controversial Trump deportation operations under ICE came under intense criticism after the record deaths of migrants in custody, as well as the high-profile shooting deaths of individuals like Renee Good and Alex Pretti during a Minneapolis crackdown, and broader concerns over the harsh treatment of long-term residents and non-criminal individuals in crowded detention facilities. Following the severe public backlash, the US President proposed changing the name of ICE to NICE (National Immigration and Customs Enforcement) in an effort to force critics and the media to use a more positive-sounding acronym during news broadcasts. Democrats opposed the measure, arguing that it gives the administration broad authority to expand enforcement operations without introducing additional oversight or restrictions. Republicans rejected those concerns and used the budget reconciliation process to advance the legislation. Reacting to the vote, House Speaker Mike Johnson described the legislation as a major victory for Republicans. "With today's vote, House and Senate Republicans have officially ended the third Democrat government shutdown of this Congress," Johnson said. Also Read: EU proposes new Russia sanctions, targets firms in India, China and UAE Trump administration set to expand enforcement efforts The newly approved package comes in addition to nearly $140 billion that Congress approved last year for immigration enforcement under Trump's tax and spending legislation. The funding approval strengthens the administration's ability to continue its immigration agenda in the coming years. Trump's border chief, Tom Homan, has previously indicated that enforcement efforts could expand further, including possible operations in heavily Democratic areas such as New York City.

The package provides about $38 billion for ICE, $26 billion for Border Patrol and $5 billion for unexpected costs, on top of nearly $140 billion already approved by Congress last year for immigration enforcement.

US Congress approves $70 billion for ICE, Border Patrol, backing Trump's deportation agenda

US President Donald Trump's administration curbs immigration following last year's shooting of members of the National Guard by an Afghan immigrant has been struck down by a federal court. District Judge John McConnell said the restrictions on processing of asylum, work permit, green card and citizen applications from nationals of 39 African, Asian, Latin American and Middle Eastern countries were unlawful. The curbs were imposed after the November 26, 2025 shooting in Washington of two National Guard soldiers by an Afghan man who immigrated to the US following the Taliban takeover in Kabul. One of the National Guard members was killed in the attack. The administration also began mass deportations after the &nbsp;incident.&nbsp;&nbsp;Even as the judgement is not directly related to India, here's how Indians will be impacted:

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/are-you-from-india-trump-s-dig-at-indian-journalist-s-triggers-racism-debate-video-1780722105294/amp">'Are you from India?': Trump's dig at Indian journalist triggers racism debate - VIDEO</a><h3>Indirect implications for India</h3>Analysts say that Indian citizens are not directly affected by this US court ruling because India was never part of the list of 39 countries targeted by Trump's immigration restrictions. The judgement mainly helps applicants from those countries whose visa, green card, asylum, and citizenship processes were paused. However, there are some indirect implications for India as the country faces several other immigration related issues in America. “It is largely symbolic but it brings hope for us,” Jennifer D'Souza from Mumbai, who currently in in US on student visa says. She adds that the Trump administration will only expand its immigration curbs if such verdict do not act as a roadblock. She also said that H-1B workers and students are dealing with excessive anxiety because of Trump administration's immigration policies. “It is uncertain…They will do things whenever they want to," D'Souza claims.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/myanmar-promised-pm-modi-it-won-t-let-its-territory-be-used-against-india-can-it-deliver-wion-decodes-1780395076740">Myanmar promised PM Modi it won't let its territory be used against India. Can it deliver? | WION Decodes</a>&nbsp;D'Souza's remarks are true as the ruling sets an important legal principle that immigration decisions cannot be paused or delayed only based on nationality. This could help prevent similar blanket restrictions in the future, which is positive for Indian professionals as well. At the same time, it does not change existing issues faced by Indian applicants, specially H-1B workers and students, who still deal with strict rules like mandatory consular processing for green cards. These long-standing delays and backlogs remain in place. There is also a possibility of continued uncertainty because the Trump administration is expected to appeal the ruling. This means US immigration policy could keep shifting, indirectly affecting planning and job mobility for Indian workers in the US.&nbsp;

A US federal judge struck down Trump-era restrictions that had paused asylum, visa, green card, and citizenship processing for nationals of 39 countries. The court ruled the policy unlawful and based on nationality rather than conduct, calling it arbitrary 

US President Donald Trump's administration curbs immigration following last year's shooting of members of the National Guard by an Afghan immigrant has been struck down by a federal court. District Judge John McConnell said the restrictions on processing of asylum, work permit, green card and citizen applications from nationals of 39 African, Asian, Latin American and Middle Eastern countries were unlawful. The curbs were imposed after the November 26, 2025 shooting in Washington of two National Guard soldiers by an Afghan man who immigrated to the US following the Taliban takeover in Kabul. One of the National Guard members was killed in the attack. The administration also began mass deportations after the incident. Even as the judgement is not directly related to India, here's how Indians will be impacted:

A US federal judge struck down Trump-era restrictions that had paused asylum, visa, green card, and citizenship processing for nationals of 39 countries. The court ruled the policy unlawful and based on nationality rather than conduct, calling it arbitrary&nbsp;

Trump's immigration curbs on 39 countries struck down: Is it good news for Indians?

A US federal judge on Friday invalidated a series of immigration restrictions introduced by President Donald Trump's administration following the fatal shooting of National Guard personnel by an Afghan immigrant last year. District Judge John McConnell ruled that measures affecting the processing of asylum requests, work authorisations, green card applications and citizenship petitions from nationals of 39 countries spanning Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East violated the law.&nbsp;The restrictions were put in place after an Afghan man who had migrated to the United States following the Taliban's return to power in Kabul shot two National Guard soldiers in Washington on November 26, 2025. One of the soldiers was killed in the attack.&nbsp;In a strongly worded 135-page ruling, McConnell said the policies adopted by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) had left large numbers of immigrants trapped in prolonged uncertainty.&nbsp;The restrictive policies enacted by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) "threw the lives of countless immigrants living in the United States into indeterminate legal limbo," McConnell wrote in the ruling.&nbsp;He further stated that "USCIS's hold on adjudications cannot be attributed to anything that these individuals did wrong; rather, it arises solely by the happenstance of their birth."The judge also criticised the government's justification for the restrictions, saying USCIS relied on "pretextual concerns of 'national security' that mask anti-immigrant sentiments."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-ball-is-in-trump-s-court-iran-says-negotiations-hit-impasse-over-24-billion-in-frozen-assets-1780687450368">'The ball is in Trump's court': Iran says negotiations hit impasse over $24 billion in frozen assets</a>&nbsp;"The Court is reminded of a line often repeated in discussions around immigration policy: If people wish to immigrate to the United States, they ought to 'follow the law' and 'do things the right way,'" the judge said.<h2>Trump administration expected to appeal</h2>&nbsp;Responding on X, James Percival, general counsel for the Department of Homeland Security, suggested that the judgment reflected ideological bias.&nbsp;"It is sabotage dressed in legal clothing. It goes like this: (1) the admin is racist, (2) therefore a policy I don’t like is motivated by race, (3) therefore it is invalid," Percival wrote.Trump campaigned for the White House on a pledge to deport millions of undocumented migrants. Following the National Guard shooting, he also said he intended to "permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries."&nbsp;Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who was charged with opening fire on the guardsmen just a few blocks from the White House, had been part of a CIA-backed "partner force" fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan.

The restrictions were enacted after an Afghan immigrant opened fire on two National Guard soldiers in Washington in November 2025, leaving one dead and prompting renewed immigration scrutiny.

A US federal judge on Friday invalidated a series of immigration restrictions introduced by President Donald Trump's administration following the fatal shooting of National Guard personnel by an Afghan immigrant last year. District Judge John McConnell ruled that measures affecting the processing of asylum requests, work authorisations, green card applications and citizenship petitions from nationals of 39 countries spanning Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East violated the law. The restrictions were put in place after an Afghan man who had migrated to the United States following the Taliban's return to power in Kabul shot two National Guard soldiers in Washington on November 26, 2025. One of the soldiers was killed in the attack. In a strongly worded 135-page ruling, McConnell said the policies adopted by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) had left large numbers of immigrants trapped in prolonged uncertainty. The restrictive policies enacted by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) "threw the lives of countless immigrants living in the United States into indeterminate legal limbo," McConnell wrote in the ruling. He further stated that "USCIS's hold on adjudications cannot be attributed to anything that these individuals did wrong; rather, it arises solely by the happenstance of their birth." The judge also criticised the government's justification for the restrictions, saying USCIS relied on "pretextual concerns of 'national security' that mask anti-immigrant sentiments." Also Read: 'The ball is in Trump's court': Iran says negotiations hit impasse over $24 billion in frozen assets "The Court is reminded of a line often repeated in discussions around immigration policy: If people wish to immigrate to the United States, they ought to 'follow the law' and 'do things the right way,'" the judge said. Trump administration expected to appeal Responding on X, James Percival, general counsel for the Department of Homeland Security, suggested that the judgment reflected ideological bias. "It is sabotage dressed in legal clothing. It goes like this: (1) the admin is racist, (2) therefore a policy I don’t like is motivated by race, (3) therefore it is invalid," Percival wrote. Trump campaigned for the White House on a pledge to deport millions of undocumented migrants. Following the National Guard shooting, he also said he intended to "permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries." Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who was charged with opening fire on the guardsmen just a few blocks from the White House, had been part of a CIA-backed "partner force" fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan.

The restrictions were enacted after an Afghan immigrant opened fire on two National Guard soldiers in Washington in November 2025, leaving one dead and prompting renewed immigration scrutiny.

Federal judge strikes down Trump administration's immigration curbs targeting 39 countries

The Trump administration has ordered immigration officers to detain undocumented immigrants without offering them the chance to apply for bond during deportation proceedings, the Washington Post reported. In a memo reviewed by the Post on 8 July, Todd M. Lyons, the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), said that immigrants who entered the country illegally must now be detained “for the duration of their removal proceedings”, a process that can take months or even years. This decision could affect millions of people who entered the US illegally in recent decades, including during President Biden’s term.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-wildly-out-of-context-white-house-says-trump-was-not-encouraging-further-killing-after-reports-claim-he-wanted-zelensky-to-strike-moscow-1752595112142">'Wildly out of context': White House says Trump 'was not encouraging further killing' after reports claim he wanted Zelensky to ‘strike Moscow’</a><h2>Immigration judges removed from decision-making process</h2>Previously, undocumented immigrants living within the US were allowed to request bond hearings before immigration judges. However, Lyons stated in the memo that the Departments of Homeland Security and Justice had reviewed the legal framework and concluded that such individuals “may not be released from ICE custody.”In rare cases, release on parole may still be granted, but that decision will lie with immigration officers, not judges. The policy relies on a section of immigration law that mandates detention after arrest, a rule that has historically applied only to recent border crossers, not long-term residents.<h2>Congress allocates $45 billion for expanded detention</h2>This major shift in immigration enforcement comes just after Congress approved a $45 billion budget to increase the U.S.’s detention capacity over the next four years. With the new funds, ICE is expected to double the number of immigrants it can detain daily, up to 100,000 people.Already, reports have emerged of immigrants being denied bond hearings in over a dozen courts across states such as New York, Virginia, North Carolina, Oregon, Ohio and Georgia, according to the American Immigration Lawyers Association.Though ICE claims in its 2024 annual report that most of the 7.6 million immigrants on its docket are released while their cases are processed, the scale of the new policy could change that drastically.<h2>Lawyers say long-term residents now targeted</h2>Under current law, immigrants convicted of serious crimes like murder are already held without bond. Recently, theft-related crimes were added to that list after the killing of Laken Riley, a nursing student in Georgia, by a Venezuelan man previously arrested for shoplifting. Now, immigration lawyers say the Trump administration is expanding detention rules originally meant for recent arrivals to include long-time US residents, many of whom have American children and legal arguments against deportation.Detaining them in remote centres, such as swamps in Florida or desert areas in Arizona, could limit their access to family, lawyers and the resources needed to fight their cases. Many will be unable to work or build legal defences.Currently, ICE is detaining around 56,000 immigrants each day and has reopened family detention centres that were previously closed under the Biden administration due to safety concerns. Officers are reportedly working overtime to meet Trump’s target of deporting one million people in his first year back in office.

Earlier,  undocumented immigrants living within the US were allowed to request bond hearings before immigration judges, but as per the memo, now such individuals will not be released from the ICE custody.

The Trump administration has ordered immigration officers to detain undocumented immigrants without offering them the chance to apply for bond during deportation proceedings, the Washington Post reported. In a memo reviewed by the Post on 8 July, Todd M. Lyons, the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), said that immigrants who entered the country illegally must now be detained “for the duration of their removal proceedings”, a process that can take months or even years. This decision could affect millions of people who entered the US illegally in recent decades, including during President Biden’s term. Also read: 'Wildly out of context': White House says Trump 'was not encouraging further killing' after reports claim he wanted Zelensky to ‘strike Moscow’ Immigration judges removed from decision-making process Previously, undocumented immigrants living within the US were allowed to request bond hearings before immigration judges. However, Lyons stated in the memo that the Departments of Homeland Security and Justice had reviewed the legal framework and concluded that such individuals “may not be released from ICE custody.” In rare cases, release on parole may still be granted, but that decision will lie with immigration officers, not judges. The policy relies on a section of immigration law that mandates detention after arrest, a rule that has historically applied only to recent border crossers, not long-term residents. Congress allocates $45 billion for expanded detention This major shift in immigration enforcement comes just after Congress approved a $45 billion budget to increase the U.S.’s detention capacity over the next four years. With the new funds, ICE is expected to double the number of immigrants it can detain daily, up to 100,000 people. Already, reports have emerged of immigrants being denied bond hearings in over a dozen courts across states such as New York, Virginia, North Carolina, Oregon, Ohio and Georgia, according to the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Though ICE claims in its 2024 annual report that most of the 7.6 million immigrants on its docket are released while their cases are processed, the scale of the new policy could change that drastically. Lawyers say long-term residents now targeted Under current law, immigrants convicted of serious crimes like murder are already held without bond. Recently, theft-related crimes were added to that list after the killing of Laken Riley, a nursing student in Georgia, by a Venezuelan man previously arrested for shoplifting. Now, immigration lawyers say the Trump administration is expanding detention rules originally meant for recent arrivals to include long-time US residents, many of whom have American children and legal arguments against deportation. Detaining them in remote centres, such as swamps in Florida or desert areas in Arizona, could limit their access to family, lawyers and the resources needed to fight their cases. Many will be unable to work or build legal defences. Currently, ICE is detaining around 56,000 immigrants each day and has reopened family detention centres that were previously closed under the Biden administration due to safety concerns. Officers are reportedly working overtime to meet Trump’s target of deporting one million people in his first year back in office.

Earlier, undocumented immigrants living within the US were allowed to request bond hearings before immigration judges, but as per the memo, now such individuals will not be released from ICE custody.

Millions could be jailed for years as new Trump rule targets longtime undocumented residents - What does that mean?

A third US deportation flight carrying 112 illegal Indian immigrants landed at Amritsar airport on Sunday (Feb 16), just a day after another batch of 119 Indians was sent back as part of a large-scale crackdown by the Donald Trump administration.
The latest group of deportees included 31 people from Punjab, 44 from Haryana, 33 from Gujarat, one each from Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, and two from Uttar Pradesh.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m77vt9a8-l7tc0mvr-bjns1nbm">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Punjab: Aircraft carrying the third batch of illegal Indian immigrants lands in Amritsar as it arrives from the US. <a href="https://t.co/siuyMUTbMP">pic.twitter.com/siuyMUTbMP</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1891166078425870501?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2025</a></blockquote>
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/new-delhi-railway-station-stampede-last-minute-platform-change-or-train-mix-up-what-caused-ndls-crush-death-toll-8726622" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">'Last-minute platform change, train mix-up': What caused New Delhi railway station stampede&nbsp;that&nbsp;killed&nbsp;18?</a>
<h2>Deportees claim harsh treatment</h2>
The previous flight, which arrived on Saturday, carried 119 Indians, 100 of whom were from Punjab and Haryana. Some of these deportees claimed they were handcuffed and chained during their journey back to India. This has sparked a strong backlash within Indian political circles.
However, sources from the Ministry of External Affairs said that women and children were not restrained during the flight. 
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/who-will-take-responsibility-opposition-slams-centre-over-new-delhi-railway-station-stampede-8726509" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">'Who will take responsibility': Opposition slams centre over New Delhi railway station stampede</a>
This deportation came shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington DC. The Opposition had urged the Indian government to formally request the US to avoid shackling deportees during their return flights.
On Sunday, the Congress criticised Prime Minister Modi for not raising concerns with Trump over the treatment of deported Indians. "Despite his close ties with Trump, Modi failed to address the outrage over Indians being shackled on their way back," the party alleged.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-modi-back-in-india-after-historic-visit-to-us-and-france-featuring-major-bilateral-agreements-8722606" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">PM Modi back in India after historic visit to US and France featuring major bilateral agreements</a>
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/punjab-cm-mann-slams-centre-over-deliberately-choosing-amritsar-to-land-planes-carrying-illegal-indian-migrants-bid-to-defame-punjab-8722798">Bhagwant Mann</a> described the mass deportations as an "eye-opener," urging Indian youths to avoid illegal immigration. Speaking at a sports tournament in Ghungrali village, Mann said, "We are fortunate to be born on this sacred and fertile land. Instead of seeking illegal routes abroad, our youth should work hard to contribute to the state&rsquo;s growth."
Many of the deported individuals claimed they had paid large sums to travel agents, unaware that they were being sent to the US illegally. Now back in India, they are demanding strict action against these agents, who they say had misled them and put them in this&nbsp;difficult situation.
(With inputs from agencies)

India news: The latest group of deportees included 31 people from Punjab, 44 from Haryana, 33 from Gujarat, one each from Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, and two from Uttar Pradesh.

A third US deportation flight carrying 112 illegal Indian immigrants landed at Amritsar airport on Sunday (Feb 16), just a day after another batch of 119 Indians was sent back as part of a large-scale crackdown by the Donald Trump administration. The latest group of deportees included 31 people from Punjab, 44 from Haryana, 33 from Gujarat, one each from Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, and two from Uttar Pradesh. #WATCH | Punjab: Aircraft carrying the third batch of illegal Indian immigrants lands in Amritsar as it arrives from the US. pic.twitter.com/siuyMUTbMP — ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2025 Also read: 'Last-minute platform change, train mix-up': What caused New Delhi railway station stampede that killed 18? Deportees claim harsh treatment The previous flight, which arrived on Saturday, carried 119 Indians, 100 of whom were from Punjab and Haryana. Some of these deportees claimed they were handcuffed and chained during their journey back to India. This has sparked a strong backlash within Indian political circles. However, sources from the Ministry of External Affairs said that women and children were not restrained during the flight. Also read: 'Who will take responsibility': Opposition slams centre over New Delhi railway station stampede This deportation came shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington DC. The Opposition had urged the Indian government to formally request the US to avoid shackling deportees during their return flights. On Sunday, the Congress criticised Prime Minister Modi for not raising concerns with Trump over the treatment of deported Indians. "Despite his close ties with Trump, Modi failed to address the outrage over Indians being shackled on their way back," the party alleged. Also read: PM Modi back in India after historic visit to US and France featuring major bilateral agreements Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann described the mass deportations as an "eye-opener," urging Indian youths to avoid illegal immigration. Speaking at a sports tournament in Ghungrali village, Mann said, "We are fortunate to be born on this sacred and fertile land. Instead of seeking illegal routes abroad, our youth should work hard to contribute to the state’s growth." Many of the deported individuals claimed they had paid large sums to travel agents, unaware that they were being sent to the US illegally. Now back in India, they are demanding strict action against these agents, who they say had misled them and put them in this difficult situation. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch | Third US deportation flight with 112 Indians lands in Amritsar amid outrage over alleged mistreatment

After Donald Trump's win in the 2024 United States presidential election, there has been a significant spike in Google searches by people interested in leaving the country and moving to Canada.

After Donald Trump's win in the 2024 United States presidential election, there has been a significant spike in Google searches by people interested in leaving the country and moving to Canada. Why are Americans searching for "How to move to Canada"? The search term "How to move to Canada" has notably increased following Trump’s election, due to concerns among some Americans about potential changes in immigration policy. With Trump set to become the next US president, he has made promises about large-scale deportations. This has put Canada on “high alert” as officials anticipate a possible rise in unauthorised border crossings from the US. Trump's deportation stance is reminiscent of his first term following his win in the 2016 presidential election, during which thousands of people, including Haitians, crossed into Canada after losing certain protections in the US. Which US states show the highest interest in moving to Canada? Google Trends data reveals that searches for “How to move to Canada” jumped by 400 per cent on election night (Nov 5), with the highest search interest coming from blue states (whose voters vote predominantly for the Democratic party) such as Vermont, Oregon, and Washington. Other related searches, including “moving to Canada requirements” and “moving to Canada from US,” also spiked. Some searches saw an increase of over 5,000 per cent on the day that Trump's victory was confirmed, according to Google Trends. How is Canada’s border security responding to potential migration changes? Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Sergeant Charles Poirier confirmed that Canadian border security is on high alert. “All of our eyes are looking at the border to see what’s going to happen,” he said, adding that Trump’s immigration policies could lead to more “illegal and irregular migration” toward Canada. This comes just days after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced plans to reduce the number of permanent immigrants in 2025. According to reports, Trudeau mentioned Canada would cut its permanent immigration target by 21 per cent, from 500,000 to 395,000. “We are acting today because of the tumultuous times as we emerged from the pandemic, between addressing labour needs and maintaining population growth, we didn't get the balance quite right,” Trudeau said. (With inputs from agencies)

‘How to move to Canada’: After Trump’s election win, Americans flood Google with questions about relocating

The Biden administration said on Saturday it was immediately suspending&nbsp;Trump-era asylum agreements with El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, that restricted the ability of people to seek asylum at the southwest border, part of a broad effort to undo the&nbsp;immigration&nbsp;policies of President&nbsp;Donald Trump.

In a statement, State Department Secretary Antony Blinken said the United States had "suspended and initiated the process to terminate the Asylum Cooperative Agreements with the Governments of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras as the first concrete steps on the path to greater partnership and collaboration in the region laid out by President Biden."

The so-called "safe third country" agreements, inked in 2019 by the&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;administration and the Central American nations, force asylum seekers from the region to first seek refuge in those countries before applying in the United States.

Part of a controversial bid by&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;to crack down on illegal immigrants from Central America who make up a large part of migrants apprehended at the US-Mexico border, the policies were never implemented with El Salvador and Honduras, the State Department said on Saturday.

Transfers under the US-Guatemala agreement have been paused since mid-March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the statement added.

The moves announced Saturday came after Biden unveiled a host of measures last week aimed at revamping the US&nbsp;immigration system, including a task force to reunite families separated at the United States-Mexico border and another to increase an annual cap on refugees.

One of the orders called for Blinken to "promptly consider" whether to notify the governments of the three countries that the United States intended to suspend and terminate the safe third country deals. It also called on the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General to determine whether to rescind a rule implementing the agreements.

The Biden administration said on Saturday it was immediately suspending Trump-era asylum agreements with El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, that restricted the ability of people to seek asylum at the southwest border, part of a broad effort to undo the immigration policies of President Donald Trump.

The Biden administration said on Saturday it was immediately suspending Trump-era asylum agreements with El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, that restricted the ability of people to seek asylum at the southwest border, part of a broad effort to undo the immigration policies of President Donald Trump. In a statement, State Department Secretary Antony Blinken said the United States had "suspended and initiated the process to terminate the Asylum Cooperative Agreements with the Governments of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras as the first concrete steps on the path to greater partnership and collaboration in the region laid out by President Biden." The so-called "safe third country" agreements, inked in 2019 by the Trump administration and the Central American nations, force asylum seekers from the region to first seek refuge in those countries before applying in the United States. Part of a controversial bid by Trump to crack down on illegal immigrants from Central America who make up a large part of migrants apprehended at the US-Mexico border, the policies were never implemented with El Salvador and Honduras, the State Department said on Saturday. Transfers under the US-Guatemala agreement have been paused since mid-March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the statement added. The moves announced Saturday came after Biden unveiled a host of measures last week aimed at revamping the US immigration system, including a task force to reunite families separated at the United States-Mexico border and another to increase an annual cap on refugees. One of the orders called for Blinken to "promptly consider" whether to notify the governments of the three countries that the United States intended to suspend and terminate the safe third country deals. It also called on the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General to determine whether to rescind a rule implementing the agreements.

Biden withdraws Trump asylum deals with three Central American countries

Acting US Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan made his second trip to the US-Mexico border on Saturday as the Pentagon looks to develop a longer-term plan to support President Donald Trump's immigration policies.

Shanahan travelled to McAllen, Texas, to meet with officials and visit a migrant processing facility and Border Patrol station, two days after the White House announced Trump's intention to nominate the former Boeing Co executive as defence secretary.

"We're not going to leave until the border is secure," Shanahan told about two dozen border patrol officials as hundreds of detained migrants waited in tents to be processed.&nbsp;

Shanahan was accompanied by another acting secretary, Kevin McAleenan, who leads the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after a shake-up instigated by Trump, whose hard-line immigration policies have not stemmed a rising tide of migrants.

On Friday, the Pentagon said Shanahan approved the transfer of $1.5 billion to build more than 80 miles (130 km) of barriers on the border, part of a patchwork project after Trump failed to secure funding from Congress for a complete border wall.

Trump has been eager to have the US military play a larger role on the border and, despite some criticism from lawmakers, Pentagon officials say they are looking to create a long-term plan for assistance.

Shanahan told a small group of reporters travelling with him that military assistance would not continue "indefinitely," but that it would be in place longer than months.

The Pentagon has tapped a two-star Army general to work with DHS to look at what military support will be needed in the future. Shanahan said he expected a plan from the general in the next few weeks.

"(It is about) getting us out of this à la carte tasking where, 'Hey, we need 50 guys to do this, 50 guys to do that,'" a senior defence official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The official said the idea was to look out over a timeline of at least two years.

The official added that the Pentagon was reviewing a recent request from DHS to provide housing for detained migrants.

"What we're hopful&nbsp;to do is have, in fairly short order for the secretary of Homeland Security, a much more predictable, comprehensive plan for the next couple of years," the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joseph Dunford, said earlier this week.

There are currently about 4,500 US service members on the border, and they are authorized to be there until through September.

Democratic criticism

The decision to transfer the $1.5 billion for border funding came on top of a March transfer of $1 billion in military money to fund the wall, which Democratic lawmakers criticized sharply.

Lawmakers have hinted they may respond by putting new restrictions on the Pentagon's authority to move money around.

Shanahan said he understood Congress could take that authority away from the Pentagon and said he was unsure how to ease concerns. "I don't have a good answer for how we're going to balance it. It is a predicament," he said.

The Pentagon is weighing which projects from the military construction budget will be affected to help pay up to $3.6 billion for the wall and whether there is a military need for it.

Acting US Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan made his second trip to the US-Mexico border on Saturday as the Pentagon looks to develop a longer-term plan to support President Donald Trump's immigration policies.

Acting US Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan made his second trip to the US-Mexico border on Saturday as the Pentagon looks to develop a longer-term plan to support President Donald Trump's immigration policies. Shanahan travelled to McAllen, Texas, to meet with officials and visit a migrant processing facility and Border Patrol station, two days after the White House announced Trump's intention to nominate the former Boeing Co executive as defence secretary. "We're not going to leave until the border is secure," Shanahan told about two dozen border patrol officials as hundreds of detained migrants waited in tents to be processed. Shanahan was accompanied by another acting secretary, Kevin McAleenan, who leads the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after a shake-up instigated by Trump, whose hard-line immigration policies have not stemmed a rising tide of migrants. On Friday, the Pentagon said Shanahan approved the transfer of $1.5 billion to build more than 80 miles (130 km) of barriers on the border, part of a patchwork project after Trump failed to secure funding from Congress for a complete border wall. Trump has been eager to have the US military play a larger role on the border and, despite some criticism from lawmakers, Pentagon officials say they are looking to create a long-term plan for assistance. Shanahan told a small group of reporters travelling with him that military assistance would not continue "indefinitely," but that it would be in place longer than months. The Pentagon has tapped a two-star Army general to work with DHS to look at what military support will be needed in the future. Shanahan said he expected a plan from the general in the next few weeks. "(It is about) getting us out of this à la carte tasking where, 'Hey, we need 50 guys to do this, 50 guys to do that,'" a senior defence official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The official said the idea was to look out over a timeline of at least two years. The official added that the Pentagon was reviewing a recent request from DHS to provide housing for detained migrants. "What we're hopful to do is have, in fairly short order for the secretary of Homeland Security, a much more predictable, comprehensive plan for the next couple of years," the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joseph Dunford, said earlier this week. There are currently about 4,500 US service members on the border, and they are authorized to be there until through September. Democratic criticism The decision to transfer the $1.5 billion for border funding came on top of a March transfer of $1 billion in military money to fund the wall, which Democratic lawmakers criticized sharply. Lawmakers have hinted they may respond by putting new restrictions on the Pentagon's authority to move money around. Shanahan said he understood Congress could take that authority away from the Pentagon and said he was unsure how to ease concerns. "I don't have a good answer for how we're going to balance it. It is a predicament," he said. The Pentagon is weighing which projects from the military construction budget will be affected to help pay up to $3.6 billion for the wall and whether there is a military need for it.

US defence secretary visits US-Mexico border as Pentagon eyes longer-term plan to support Trump's immigration policy

The number of undocumented Indians deported from the US increased in the in the first year of the Donald Trump presidency, a media report said on Tuesday.

The undocumented Indians deported in 2017 were 460 compared to 353 the year before and 311 in 2015, the report stated citing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The ICE has said its enforcement raids targeting undocumented residents will continue in 2018.&nbsp;

Tougher enforcement of immigration laws could affect the five lakh undocumented Indians in the United States -- the number has been estimated by a &nbsp;Pew Research Centre study conducted in 2016, the media report states.

The Indians in question have entered the country by crossing the border illegally or have overstayed their&nbsp;visas. There is not much India can do diplomatically for them, the media report quoted officials as saying.

However, the overall number of undocumented people deported from the US in 2017 decreased as compared to last year, the media report said.

The vast majority of the 2.26 lakh people deported in in 2017 -- compared to 2.40 lakh in 2016 -- were from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, the ICE said.&nbsp; 
 
The decrease in deportation is because of preventive measures at the border and a reduction in the attempts by people to enter the US illegally because of the tough enforcement.

There has been a 30 per cent increase in arrests because of a tougher implementation of immigration laws, the media report stated.

The ICE has said the Trump administration wants to end &quot;chain migration&quot;, and cited the example of &nbsp;Indian-origin citizen of the US Khaleel Ahmed, who came to India in 1998 as a family member of a naturalized United States citizen from India, became a US citizen through through naturalisation and later was sentenced to more than eight years in prison in 2010 for being part of an international terror conspiracy.

 
&nbsp;

The undocumented Indians deported in 2017 were 460 compared to 353 the year before and 311 in 2015, a media report stated citing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The number of undocumented Indians deported from the US increased in the in the first year of the Donald Trump presidency, a media report said on Tuesday. The undocumented Indians deported in 2017 were 460 compared to 353 the year before and 311 in 2015, the report stated citing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The ICE has said its enforcement raids targeting undocumented residents will continue in 2018. Tougher enforcement of immigration laws could affect the five lakh undocumented Indians in the United States -- the number has been estimated by a Pew Research Centre study conducted in 2016, the media report states. The Indians in question have entered the country by crossing the border illegally or have overstayed their visas. There is not much India can do diplomatically for them, the media report quoted officials as saying. However, the overall number of undocumented people deported from the US in 2017 decreased as compared to last year, the media report said. The vast majority of the 2.26 lakh people deported in in 2017 -- compared to 2.40 lakh in 2016 -- were from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, the ICE said. The decrease in deportation is because of preventive measures at the border and a reduction in the attempts by people to enter the US illegally because of the tough enforcement. There has been a 30 per cent increase in arrests because of a tougher implementation of immigration laws, the media report stated. The ICE has said the Trump administration wants to end "chain migration", and cited the example of Indian-origin citizen of the US Khaleel Ahmed, who came to India in 1998 as a family member of a naturalized United States citizen from India, became a US citizen through through naturalisation and later was sentenced to more than eight years in prison in 2010 for being part of an international terror conspiracy.

Indians deported by US increased in 2017: Report

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomed those fleeing war and persecution on Saturday even as Canadian airlines said they would turn back US-bound passengers to comply with an immigration ban on people from seven Muslim-majority countries.

In pointed tweets a day after US&nbsp;President Donald Trump put a four-month hold on allowing refugees into the United States and temporarily barred travellers from the seven countries, Trudeau said refugees were welcome in Canada.

&quot;To those fleeing persecution, terror &amp; war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada,&quot; Trudeau said on Twitter.

A second tweet, also timed to coincide with outrage over Trump&#39;s immigration policy, included a 2015 photo of Trudeau welcoming a Syrian refugee at a Canadian airport.

Confusion abounded at airports around the world on Saturday as officials tried to interpret the new US&nbsp;rules.

Trudeau&#39;s office said US&nbsp;authorities had confirmed Canadian passport holders, including dual citizens from the seven countries, would not be affected.

Trudeau has walked a fine line with the Trump administration, avoiding direct criticism while promoting the progressive policies of his one-year-old Liberal government.

The prime minister would discuss Canada&#39;s immigration and refugee policies with Trump, Trudeau&#39;s press secretary, Cameron Ahmad, said. He did not say when that would be.

WestJet Airlines said it turned back a passenger bound for the United States on Saturday to comply with Trump&#39;s executive order but did not say which country the passenger had come from. Spokeswoman Lauren Stewart said the airline would give full refunds to anyone affected.

In the western province of Saskatchewan, Iranian doctoral student Mohammadreza Tayfeh found himself comforting the Delta Air Lines employee he called about a refund.

&quot;I said, &#39;It&#39;s all right. It&#39;s going to be fine. Don&#39;t worry about it.&#39; She was so upset,&quot; he said in an interview from Saskatoon.

Tayfeh, an engineering student living in Canada for seven years, had been invited to San Diego to meet with investors for his telecom business. While he had a visitor&#39;s visa, he missed the cutoff to travel by hours.

He decided not to risk flying from Saskatchewan in case he was detained on arrival in the United States. He said an Iranian friend who has been living in the US&nbsp;and working at NASA for years was detained at the Doha airport in Qatar late Friday.

&quot;You don&#39;t want to put yourself in that situation, to go there and they ask you questions and just deport you,&quot; he said.

In Vancouver, an employee at the American Airlines counter said one person travelling on an Iranian passport had been turned away Saturday morning.

Air Canada said it was complying with the order but did not comment on whether it had denied anyone travel.

A Porter Airlines spokesman said the Toronto-based carrier will be restricting passengers from travelling to the United States from the listed countries until further notice.

(Reuters)

'Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada,' Trudeau said on Twitter

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomed those fleeing war and persecution on Saturday even as Canadian airlines said they would turn back US-bound passengers to comply with an immigration ban on people from seven Muslim-majority countries. In pointed tweets a day after US President Donald Trump put a four-month hold on allowing refugees into the United States and temporarily barred travellers from the seven countries, Trudeau said refugees were welcome in Canada. "To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada," Trudeau said on Twitter. A second tweet, also timed to coincide with outrage over Trump's immigration policy, included a 2015 photo of Trudeau welcoming a Syrian refugee at a Canadian airport. Confusion abounded at airports around the world on Saturday as officials tried to interpret the new US rules. Trudeau's office said US authorities had confirmed Canadian passport holders, including dual citizens from the seven countries, would not be affected. Trudeau has walked a fine line with the Trump administration, avoiding direct criticism while promoting the progressive policies of his one-year-old Liberal government. The prime minister would discuss Canada's immigration and refugee policies with Trump, Trudeau's press secretary, Cameron Ahmad, said. He did not say when that would be. WestJet Airlines said it turned back a passenger bound for the United States on Saturday to comply with Trump's executive order but did not say which country the passenger had come from. Spokeswoman Lauren Stewart said the airline would give full refunds to anyone affected. In the western province of Saskatchewan, Iranian doctoral student Mohammadreza Tayfeh found himself comforting the Delta Air Lines employee he called about a refund. "I said, 'It's all right. It's going to be fine. Don't worry about it.' She was so upset," he said in an interview from Saskatoon. Tayfeh, an engineering student living in Canada for seven years, had been invited to San Diego to meet with investors for his telecom business. While he had a visitor's visa, he missed the cutoff to travel by hours. He decided not to risk flying from Saskatchewan in case he was detained on arrival in the United States. He said an Iranian friend who has been living in the US and working at NASA for years was detained at the Doha airport in Qatar late Friday. "You don't want to put yourself in that situation, to go there and they ask you questions and just deport you," he said. In Vancouver, an employee at the American Airlines counter said one person travelling on an Iranian passport had been turned away Saturday morning. Air Canada said it was complying with the order but did not comment on whether it had denied anyone travel. A Porter Airlines spokesman said the Toronto-based carrier will be restricting passengers from travelling to the United States from the listed countries until further notice. (Reuters)

Canada's Trudeau welcomes 'those fleeing persecution, terror & war'