In an unexpected move, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a series of fee reductions for the EB-5 investor visa program, marking one of the few instances where immigration-related costs are being lowered instead of raised. The EB-5 program offers foreign investors a path to U.S. permanent residency by investing in American job-creating enterprises.

If the new rule is finalized, the primary EB-5 petition fee (Form I-526/I-526E) would decrease from $11,160 to $9,625 — a 14% reduction. Similarly, the fee for removing conditions on permanent residency (Form I-829) would fall from $9,525 to $7,860, a 17% cut. Even more notable are the steep reductions for regional centers, which manage pooled EB-5 investments. The proposed changes include a 39% cut in Form I-956 (designation) fees to $28,895, and a 61% reduction for Form I-956 Amendment to $18,480. Fees for project approvals and annual reports would also see declines of nearly 40%.

According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), these proposed fee adjustments better reflect the true cost of processing applications and aim to improve efficiency. The agency has set new adjudication goals: 240 days for most regional center petitions and 180 days for new designations.

The EB-5 visa allows investors to secure a U.S. green card by contributing at least $1.05 million — or $800,000 for projects in rural or high-unemployment areas — to ventures that generate American jobs. Since Congress reauthorized the EB-5 program in 2022, demand has surged, particularly among investors from India and China seeking quicker residency options. The updated law also strengthened anti-fraud oversight and allocated visa reserves for rural and infrastructure investments.

DHS stated that the proposed fees “align with the actual cost of adjudicating EB-5 benefit requests” and are based on findings from a new cost analysis. However, these adjustments are not yet in effect. Public comments will be accepted until December 22, 2025, before DHS finalizes the rule.

If approved, the changes could translate into thousands of dollars in savings per investor and substantial reductions in regional center operating expenses. While investment minimums remain unchanged, the proposal introduces faster processing targets, offering renewed optimism for applicants.

At a time when most immigration fees are climbing, this initiative stands out as a rare financial relief for investors aiming to contribute to U.S. job creation and economic growth.

In celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of India’s Iron Man, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) in Chicago hosted a Unity Walk, drawing over 60 attendees despite the brisk 50°F (10°C) weather. The event symbolized Patel’s enduring legacy of strength and national unity.

Several prominent figures graced the occasion, including FIA Trustees Kantibhai N. Patel, Dr. Rashmi Patel, Rakesh Malhotra, and Hina Trivedi, along with Executives Amar Upadhyay, Joy (Dipen) Shah, and Anil Singh. Community leaders such as Haribhai Patel, Sanjay Vora, Manish Patel, Vandana Jhingan, and Anurag Awasthi also participated, emphasizing Patel’s timeless message of unity.

The event commenced with the singing of both the American and Indian national anthems. FIA President Hemant Patel spoke about Sardar Patel’s remarkable leadership, explaining how the title “Sardar,” meaning leader, was earned through his courage during the Bardoli Satyagraha. He highlighted Patel’s monumental role in uniting 565 princely states into a single nation, asserting that without his leadership, India might have splintered into hundreds of separate kingdoms.

Amar Upadhyay reflected on Patel’s strong-willed actions in integrating Hyderabad and Junagadh, while community leaders Haribhai Patel, Dr. Rashmibhai Patel, and Sanjay Vora proposed building a Statue of Unity in Chicagoland as a permanent tribute to Patel’s contributions. Adding a personal touch, 89-year-old Kantibhai Patel recounted his memories of Sardar Patel helping villagers resist British rule.

The highlight of the event was the one-mile Unity Run, symbolizing solidarity and collective strength. The youngest participant, 9-year-old Aarav Ankleshwaria, joined by 89-year-old Kantibhai Patel and Kalpana Shah, received special recognition for embodying Patel’s spirit of unity across generations.

The FIA’s Unity Walk not only celebrated Patel’s 150th birth anniversary but also served as a reminder of his enduring message — that true strength lies in unity, courage, and collective purpose.

Florida International University’s (FIU) international business teaching professor, David Wernick, has been honored with the 2025 Changemaking Education Award by the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of South Florida. This prestigious recognition celebrates educators who inspire students to become engaged, socially responsible leaders. FIU alumna and assistant teaching professor of public policy, Daniella Long, was also among this year’s honorees.

A faculty member at FIU since 2002, Wernick teaches international business and management courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Beyond his classroom contributions, he advises the International Business Honor Society, which oversees the Bandhwari Women’s Project — an initiative that earned him this award for its life-changing impact on women in rural India.

The Bandhwari Women’s Project was born out of Wernick’s trip to India, where he explored the nation’s economy and culture. During a visit to Bandhwari, a village near New Delhi, he witnessed the hardships faced by women and children. There, he met Anup Nair, founder of the Incentive Foundation, who along with his wife had “adopted” the community by establishing a women’s center and supporting local families.

Motivated by this encounter, Wernick launched the Bandhwari Women’s Project as a bridge between students and the women’s cooperative. The initiative empowers women to create handmade products that are sold internationally, with profits reinvested into community development. Students not only contribute to the project but also travel to India to see firsthand the impact of their work and engage deeply with local culture.

Reflecting on the project’s decade-long journey, Wernick expressed gratitude for the collaboration and its positive outcomes. “It has been a privilege to work with our friends at the Incentive Foundation to build a program that’s touched so many lives,” he said. “We aim to continue this journey of friendship, learning, and sustainable growth in the years ahead.”

Through his leadership, Wernick has shown how education can extend beyond the classroom — creating real-world impact and nurturing future global changemakers.

Sonia Raman is set to make history as the first

Raman joins Seattle after serving as an assistant coach with the New York Liberty for one season. Before that, she spent four years as an assistant with the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA, where she developed a strong reputation for player development and tactical insight. Her appointment marks a groundbreaking moment not only for the WNBA but also for the representation of South Asians in professional sports leadership roles.

Seattle’s coaching vacancy arose after Noelle Quinn was dismissed last month following the team’s early playoff exit against the Las Vegas Aces. With Raman stepping in, New York Liberty now remains the only team in the league without a head coach, as the franchise decided not to renew Sandy Brondello’s contract after their first-round playoff loss to Phoenix. Raman was reportedly a contender for that role as well.

The upcoming season could mark a transitional phase for the Seattle Storm. Several of the team’s key players, including All-Stars Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, Gabby Williams, and Brittney Sykes, are expected to become unrestricted free agents. Additionally, a new collective bargaining agreement is likely to reshape player salaries and team dynamics across the league.

Despite these uncertainties, Raman will have the opportunity to build around rising star Dominique Malonga, the No. 2 overall pick from last year’s draft, who showed tremendous promise in her rookie season.

Before entering the professional coaching circuit, Raman spent twelve years at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she led the women’s basketball program from 2008 to 2020. Under her guidance, MIT reached the NCAA Division III Tournament twice, and she remains the winningest coach in program history.

Raman’s journey from collegiate coaching to the NBA and now the WNBA stands as an inspiring example of perseverance and excellence. Her appointment signals a new era for the Storm and serves as a proud milestone for diversity and inclusion in global sports.

Mathura Sridharan, an Indian-American attorney with a strong background in law and public service, has been appointed as Ohio’s 12th Solicitor General. While her professional qualifications have earned her accolades in legal circles, her appointment sparked controversy online—largely due to her Indian heritage and the visible presence of a bindi, a traditional forehead adornment.

Numerous social media users took issue with her appearance, with some suggesting her cultural identity made her unfit for a public office. Comments ranged from questioning her religion—assuming she was not Christian—to false claims about her loyalty to the United States. One particularly pointed remark questioned, “Why would you select someone who isn’t American for such an important role?”

In response, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost came forward in strong defense of Sridharan. In a public post, Yost emphasized that she is an American citizen, married to a fellow American, and the child of naturalized U.S. citizens. He added, “If her name or her complexion bother you, the problem is not with her or her appointment.”

Yost also praised her exceptional legal acumen, highlighting her performance at the United States Supreme Court (SCOTUS) in the case Ohio v. EPA, where she represented multiple states in a major challenge to the Environmental Protection Agency’s cross-state pollution rules. He further noted that both former Solicitors General—Benjamin Flowers and Mathura Gaiser—recommended her for the role.

Sridharan previously served as Deputy Solicitor General in Ohio, where she earned a reputation for meticulous legal reasoning. Her academic credentials are equally impressive: she holds a Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law and dual degrees in Economics and Electrical Engineering & Computer Science from MIT, where she also earned a Master’s degree in Engineering.

Before entering state service, she clerked for Judge Steven Menashi on the U.S. Court of Appeals (Second Circuit) and Judge Deborah Batts of the Southern District of New York.

The backlash over Sridharan’s bindi has reignited discussions about cultural expression, identity, and patriotism in American public life. However, her defenders argue that such criticism is rooted in prejudice, not principle—and her presence in one of Ohio’s highest legal offices is a testament to merit, not ethnicity.

Many Indians have moved overseas in search of new beginnings, but few have achieved extraordinary international success like Sri Prakash Lohia. Born on August 11, 1952, in Kolkata, Lohia made a life-changing decision in 1973 to move to Indonesia with his father, Mohan Lal Lohia. There, he laid the foundation of his global business journey by launching PT Indo-Rama Synthetics, a firm that started producing spun yarns in 1976. What began as a modest textile operation would later evolve into Indorama Corporation, a global leader in petrochemicals and industrial manufacturing.

Lohia pursued his college education at Delhi University before venturing into business. Now a citizen of Indonesia, he resides in London, UK, and is globally known for his dominance in the petrochemical sector. His success story is closely tied to Indorama’s rise as a powerhouse producing polyester, packaging materials, fertilizers, medical gloves, fibers, and more. The company operates across several continents, reinforcing its international footprint.

According to Forbes, Sri Prakash Lohia has amassed a fortune of $8.7 billion, placing him among the wealthiest Indian-origin businessmen in Southeast Asia. His son, Amit Lohia, is also actively involved in the family’s corporate operations, while his daughter, Shruti Hora, is based abroad.

Sri Prakash Lohia’s personal life connects him to another business giant — he is married to Seema Mittal, the sister of steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal. This bond links two of the most influential Indian-origin business families in the world.

Apart from serving as the Chairman of Indorama Corporation, Lohia is also a key figure at Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, which is listed on the Thai Stock Exchange. With over 40 years of business expertise, Lohia continues to influence the global industrial landscape through innovation and strategic leadership.