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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know US-India News India Times (July 4, 2026 - July 10, 2026) July 10, 2026 7 Jayapal, Other Congressional Democrats Press Trump Administration On Green Card Application Changes W ashington State Congress- woman Pramila Jayapal, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Immigra- tion Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin (D- MD-08), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee. led Congressional Democrats in pressing the Trump Admin- istration on recent “concerning” changes to the green card application process. They were joined by Senate Democrats led by DemocraticWhip Dick Durbin of Illinois, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee; and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcom- mittee on Border Security and Immigra- tion. In a letter to United States Citizen- ship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow, the lawmakers cite a recent USCIS memorandum requiring noncitizens seeking a green card to apply abroad, as well as for the first time to es- tablish their presence in the United States as “in the national interest.” The lawmakers wrote: “We write to ob- ject to your new policy memorandum re- garding adjustment of status. Adjustment of status is the statutory process by which immigrants may apply for lawful perma- nent residence, often called a ‘green card,’ from within the United States. On May 21, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy memo- randum (PM-602-0199) with guidance claiming that adjustment of status is an ‘extraordinary form of relief.’ Without any basis in the law and in a departure from decades of precedent, this guidance cre- ates a policy preference for consular pro- cessing abroad over adjustment of status in the United States, requiring applicants to meet new, undefined discretionary criteria to be processed domestically. We urge you to reverse this new policy and restore adjudications of adjustment of status applications in a manner consis- tent with the law, longstanding practice, and congressional intent.” The lawmakers continued: “PM-602- 0199 states that adjustment of status ‘is a matter of discretion and administra- tive grace not designed to supersede the regular consular processing of immigrant visas.’ This is simply incorrect. There is no statutory preference for consular processing, and legislative history shows that Congress has long maintained a strong preference in favor of allowing eligible noncitizens to adjust status in the United States. Adjustment of status was first introduced into law over 70 years ago, in the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. The practice was introduced and later expanded in recognition of the significant number of eligible individuals seeking green cards who resided in the United States. In the limited circumstanc- es in which Congress intended to restrict adjustment of status, statutory text has been amended to prevent certain classes of noncitizens from using the process. When individuals are in the United States and eligible for adjustment of status, legislative history shows that Congress has a strong preference that such individuals have an opportunity to adjust their status while remaining in the U.S.” The lawmakers concluded, before making a series of information requests: “By directing adjudicators to treat ad- justment of status as an ‘extraordinary form of relief’ and by creating a policy preference for consular processing, the memorandum undermines the very purposes Congress sought to advance when enacting and amending section 245 of the INA. Congress established adjust- ment of status as a cornerstone of the modern immigration system to promote family unity, administrative efficiency, and economic stability. Any effort to dismantle that statutory framework through internal agency policy is unacceptable.” PHOTO:FACEBOOK @CONGRESSWOMN PRAMILA JAYAPAL Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal at a rally December 3, 2025. Indian Envoy To US Vinay Kwatra visits INS Sudarshini At Port Of Baltimore For SAIL 250 I ndian Ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra on Sunday (local time) visited Indian Naval Ship Su- darshini at the port of Baltimore, Maryland, which is participating in the SAIL 250 Maryland event, commemorating America’s 250th anniversary. In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in the US said that the Commanding Officer briefed the Ambassador on the progress of the ship’s transoceanic expedition Lokayan 26 and reflected on the preparations for the SAIL 250 events. It further stated that the Ambassador extended his best wishes to the crew towards continuing their voyage and for engaging in efforts to boost mutual cooperation between India and the US. “Ambassador Vinay Kwatra visited Indian Naval Ship Sudarshini at the port of Baltimore, Maryland on 28 June 26, which is currently participating in the SAIL 250 Maryland event from 25-29 June 26 . The Commanding Officer briefed the Ambassador on the LOKAYAN 26 progress, conduct of the five months long transoceanic voyage covering around 13000 nm and the preparation towards forthcoming SAIL4th 250 NewYork and SAIL Boston events,” the post read. “The Ambassador wished the crew the very best to- wards continuing their spectacular voyage and sustaining efforts to build bridges of mutual cooperation and trust amongst nations,” it added. Indian Navy’s sail training ship INS Sudarshini arrived at the Port of Baltimore, Maryland, on Friday as part of its landmark transoceanic expedition Lokayan 26, highlight- ing India’s maritime heritage and strengthening naval ties between India and the United States. According to an official release, INS Sudarshini reached Baltimore after sailing from Norfolk through the historic Chesapeake & Delaware (C&D) Canal, passing beneath major mid-Atlantic bridges. The visit marks an important milestone in the ex- pedition and underscores the enduring friendship and cooperation between the Indian Navy and the US Navy, the release said. During its stay in Baltimore, the Indian Navy’s tall ship will undertake maritime engagement and community outreach activities ahead of the Sail250 Maryland cel- ebrations, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States. Prior to arriving in Baltimore, INS Sudarshini participated in the Sail250 Virginia celebrations at Norfolk from June 19 to 23, where it joined tall ships from across the world and represented India in the Parade of Sail and the City Crew Parade. The transoceanic voyage, which began from Kochi, has covered more than 13,000 nautical miles over five months before reaching Norfolk, showcas- ing India’s long-standing seafaring traditions and its maritime outreach. The Indian Navy said the expedition reflects the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” and aims to foster friendship, cooperation and mutual trust among nations across the oceans.INS Sudarshini is a sail training ship of the Indian Navy, used to train naval personnel in traditional sailing skills while promoting maritime diplomacy and international engagement. Notably, Sail250 Maryland and Airshow Baltimore, presented by Northrop Grumman and produced by Living Classrooms, is a global gathering of interna- tional tall ships, military ships, and aircraft celebrat- ing the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States. Maryland and Baltimore are part of a five-city national event which also includes the ports of New Or- leans, Norfolk, NewYork and Boston. The event offers ship crews, cadets and midshipmen, aviators and, of course, visitors from all over the world to join in an unforgettable experience and a world-class celebration of all things maritime and aviation in com- memoration of our Nation’s semiquincentennial. - ANI From Press Release PHOTO:ANI