The NRI Herald Weekly, Apr 19, 2026

This week, we track rising visa rejections for Indian students, celebrate Indian American scholars winning top fellowships, and examine the fallout from a false accusation against an entrepreneur. We also cover diaspora events, a Kashmir-linked nonprofit controversy, and the impact of Iran tensions on Indians in the Gulf.

Immigration & Visa

A new report shows US student visa refusals hitting 61% for Indians, even as H-1B holders remain overwhelmingly Indian. We also cover a Justice Department case to revoke citizenship over tax fraud and UK universities facing weaker demand from international students.

Visa & Immigration

US student visa refusals rise: India among worst-hit at 61%, says report

Visa & Immigration

75% of H-1B holders are Indian, so why is US rejecting 61% of Indian student visa applicants?

Visa & Immigration

Visa rejections climb in the US for international students from key markets including India

Visa & Immigration

Justice Department Files Case to Revoke U.S. Citizenship of Mastermind Behind Multimillion-Dollar Tax Fraud Scheme

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services helped investigate Emmanuel Oluwatosin Kazeem, a native of Nigeria recently named in a civil denaturalization complaint filed by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Immigration & Visa

US student visa refusals rise: India among worst-hit at 61%, says report

75% of H-1B holders are Indian, so why is US rejecting 61% of Indian student visa applicants?

Visa rejections climb in the US for international students from key markets including India

Justice Department Files Case to Revoke U.S. Citizenship of Mastermind Behind Multimillion-Dollar Tax Fraud Scheme

UK universities warned against relying on international students as demand weakens despite recruitment pus

Community & Diaspora

US citizen, NRI detained at Srinagar airport for possessing satellite Phone

Strengthening Bonds Ambassador Vinay Kwatra Engages Indian Diaspora Leaders in New York

How a 52-year-old Bay Area grocery store went from a tiny shop to a mini empire

Calmatters: How Gangs Connected To India Are Terrorizing A California Immigrant Community

Birthday Celebration Turns Tragic: Indian National Drowns at US Waterfall

Meet Indian-American Randeep Dhillon who wants to 'Make Affordable California Again' but MAGA does not li

Business & Tech

Who is Akash Singhania? Indian-American entrepreneur wrongly accused of being child predator in viral 'sting operation' controversy

Who is Akash Singhania? Vape vending entrepreneur dragged into false accusation controversy

Indian-origin CEO of $400M company ‘bans’ startup from their conference, internet takes his side | Hindustan Times

Indian American tech leader Venkat Kavarthapu becomes symplr CEO

The Iran-US war, beyond oil: The unseen crisis facing 8.9 million Indians in the Gulf

Education & Achievement

Exceptional Four: Indian American Scholars and Writers Named to 2026 Guggenheim Fellowship Class

Four Indian Americans among 2026 class of Guggenheim Fellows

Indian American mathematician Anantharam Raghuram wins 2026 Simons Fellowship

Penn State president Neeli Bendapudi wins Impact Innovations Award

Rice University junior Prasi Desai wins Goldwater Scholarship

Parag Chitnis receives George Mason’s top faculty research honor

Culture & Entertainment

Chicago festival showcases Indian dance and music to navigate identity and diaspora

Coachella 2026: From cultural appropriation of Indian fashion to Gen Z–driven appreciation

APIDA Festival Returns for 4th Year in Downtown State College

Know About First-Ever Swami Vivekananda Statue in USA

National & US-India Relations

India Expands Global Tourism Influence Across USA, UK, Australia and UAE Through Skill Development Drive and Diaspora Engagement: Here’s What Global Travelers Should Expect Next

What is Kashmir Care Foundation, US-based non-profit that 3 varsities cancelled MoUs with?

How a Texas City Became the Far Right’s Next Example of the Great Replacement Theory

South Bay officials address crisis impacting Indigenous communities