External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has strongly refuted US President Joe Biden’s comments about India being ‘xenophobic’, citing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as evidence of India’s openness towards people in need of refuge. Biden had criticized several countries, including India, for their alleged xenophobia and its impact on economic growth.
US President Joe Biden has attributed India’s economic struggles to its reluctance to accept immigrants. According to Biden, xenophobia, or a fear of foreigners, is hindering the growth of India and other nations, while immigration has fueled the economic prosperity of the United States. The US has since clarified Biden’s remarks, stating that he was emphasizing the role of immigrants in strengthening the US economy.
Under a new rule announced by the Biden administration, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and other undocumented immigrants will be able to obtain health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). The rule is expected to benefit over 100,000 uninsured undocumented immigrants and will take effect on November 1. President Biden has called for a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients and other undocumented immigrants, but such efforts have faced opposition from Republicans.
The White House has defended President Joe Biden’s remarks calling India, Japan, Russia, and China ‘xenophobic’ nations, highlighting the US as a country that welcomes immigrants. Biden emphasized the importance of being a country of immigrants to strengthen the nation and its relationships with allies.
President Biden’s recent comments that Japan and India are ‘xenophobic’ have sparked reactions from Japanese lawmakers. Biden, while emphasizing the benefits of immigration in the US, suggested that these countries’ economic concerns stem from their lower levels of immigration. Several Japanese lawmakers have expressed confusion and skepticism towards the president’s attitude. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and other officials have not yet commented on the remarks. National Security Council Coordinator John Kirby defended Biden’s statements, saying they aimed to praise the US as a nation of immigrants.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has signed into law a bill requiring jailers across the state to check the immigration status of inmates and work with federal immigration officials. The bill also requires cash bail for an additional 30 crimes.
A recent Gallup poll reveals that a growing number of Americans are concerned about the state of the economy, which has surpassed immigration as the top issue of concern. Seventeen percent of respondents rated the economy as the country’s primary problem, with concerns rising steadily over the past few months. This trend comes ahead of the presidential election in November, where the economy is expected to play a significant role in determining the outcome. President Biden has highlighted economic growth but faces persistent concerns among Americans, especially in key battleground states. Immigration remains a significant concern for 27% of Americans, despite a decline in illegal border crossings. The poll also suggests that Republicans are more likely to view immigration as a top issue than Democrats. Other concerns include the government, with 20% of respondents ranking it as the country’s primary problem.
Republican Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio has raised concerns that companies are prioritizing hiring migrant workers over U.S. citizens, potentially violating federal law. Senator Vance’s letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) requests information on whether the DOJ is fulfilling its duty to protect American workers from employment practices that favor non-citizens. The letter highlights reports of companies, such as Tyson Foods, actively recruiting and hiring asylum seekers for jobs, although they are not protected under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The INA prohibits hiring decisions based on an American job seeker’s citizenship status and requires protections for U.S. citizens in hiring processes. Senator Vance questions whether companies’ hiring quotas align with this mandate. The letter inquires about ongoing investigations into companies using refugee hiring quotas unlawfully and urges the IER to initiate investigations if they have not yet.
The UK government’s visa crackdown has resulted in a significant drop in the number of dependents accompanying overseas students, with applications decreasing by almost 80% compared to the same period last year. The Home Office attributes this decline to new rules introduced in January that restrict most international students, except those on research courses, from bringing family members along. Indian students, who have traditionally been the largest cohort of international students in the UK, are expected to be particularly affected by this change, as they have led the decline in study visa applications in recent years.
California’s population has increased for the first time since 2019, ending a three-year trend of decline. The state gained over 67,000 residents in 2023, a 0.17% increase. The growth was driven by a rebound in legal international immigration and a slowdown in domestic outmigration. Despite the growth, California still faces economic challenges, including a multi-billion dollar budget deficit and a higher unemployment rate than the national average.
