The NRI Herald Weekly, May 17, 2026

This week, the NRI Herald brings you a mix of political milestones, immigration crackdowns, and community stories. Indian Americans are making waves in U.S. politics, while a major probe into OPT fraud has put thousands of foreign students under scrutiny. We also cover cultural events, business moves, and a tragic loss. Read on for the full roundup.

National & US-India Politics

Indian Americans are stepping into the political spotlight, from local offices to state attorney general races. Meanwhile, the diaspora celebrates BJP victories in India, and a Texas GOP outreach to Indian voters faces backlash.

National & US-India Politics

Two Indian Americans, One Political Moment: Saikat Chakrabarti and Nithya Raman Test the Limits of Progressive Politics

Meet Saritha Komatireddy, Indian American lawyer running for New York Attorney General

Indian Diaspora in Dallas Celebrates BJP Victories in Assam, Bengal, and Puducherry

Indian Diaspora Celebrates BJP’s Historic Victory in West Bengal, Assam & Puducherry

Came to US with $950: Indian-origin gas station owner becomes first Indian-American elected to this Texas

Indian American Community Celebrates BJP Victories in West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry

Texas Standard for May 14, 2026: Texas GOP’s approach to Indian American voters takes dark turn

AMERICA 250: Yash Asarsa becomes first Indian-American elected to Rusk City Council

Texas GOP push for Indian voters runs into anti-immigrant agenda

Immigration & Visa

US immigration probes foreign students over fake OPT employment claims

Why US is cracking down on a post-study work programme that Indians depend on for H-1B visas

3 things OPT employers should check as ICE announces crackdown on 10,000 foreign students

OPT fraud: 10,000 foreign students, including Indians, under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement scanner

US ICE identifies 10,000 foreign students, including Indians, over alleged OPT visa fraud

Indians among 10,000 foreign students flagged by US ICE in ‘OPT visa misuse’ probe

USA: Indian Students Under Scanner in OPT Crackdown

OPT faces fresh political heat in US amid fraud allegations; Intl students will face the brunt

Video | US News | ICE Claims Fraud In US Opt Visa System | Indian Students Among Those Flagged

US immigration authority and ICE claim OPT visa fraud involving thousands of foreign students: Empty offi

ICE flags 10,000 foreign students, including Indians, over alleged OPT visa fraud

OPT Under Fire: US Flags Thousands Of Foreign Students

Fake offices, Indian HR network, and more: Inside the ICE crackdown on OPT foreign student job programme

Ghost offices, Indian HR networks, OPT visas: Shell scam under ICE Scanner

Empty offices, shared addresses, India-based HR teams: Why ICE has flagged 10,000 potential fraud cases in...

Video | Pak's Trump Betrayal | Thailand Visa Changes | ICE VS OPT Students | BRICS Summit India

ICE director brands OPT a "magnet for fraud"

US flags 10,000 foreign students in OPT probe, fraud links raise alarm bells

USCIS and DOJ Take Steps to Denaturalize 12 Individuals for Concealing Terrorist Support, War Crimes, Espionage, Sexual Abuse, and More

TOI Bharat Abroad: America’s green card squeeze and an NRI fraud scandal

Indian American doctor and three companies accused of facilitating ‘birth tourism’

Community & Culture

Indian grocery store in Houston under fire after viral food safety allegations

New Perinton restaurant combines Indian, American and ice cream

Indian-origin person who paid off the education loans of all 176 graduates in US is actor Madhavan's inspi

Who is Philanthropist Anil Kochhar? He Pledges to Clear Final-Year Loans for 202 US Graduates

US university’s commencement speaker reveals he will pay off students’ final-year loans

NRI woman in US compares India and America’s corporate work culture: ‘Nobody questions you for personal work’ | Hindustan Times

Indian Americans Launch Ambitious Bid to Build Cultural Landmarks Across America

Same Spice, Different Script: My Indian-American Tour of Local Morocco

‘Do you have elections in India?’: NRI shuts down American with 17-word reply | Hindustan Times

Why Parents Deserve Business Class Travel: NRI in USA Shares

Indian-American Chain Inday Closes Williamsburg Restaurant

Who is Diljit Dosanjh’s wife? Is of Indian-American origin, couple also has…, her name is…

Diaspora dollars: be thankful for non-residents sending money home but let’s not taken these flows for granted

Business & Tech

Nirmal Narvekar, Harvard’s $57 billion Indian-American money manager, bows out

Rohit Chopra to lead new business and consumer agency in California

US: Indian-origin founder of outlaw biker gang Punjabi Devils sentenced for gun trafficking

Indian-Origin MIT Faculty Honored with Major Engineering and Science Awards

Education & Achievements

Study abroad scholarship: Japan invites Indian students for fully funded UG, research and diploma courses

2 Indian American CMU professors win prestigious national research honors

Indian American researcher wins University of Maryland honor

Missing Indian American student found dead after 10-day search at Grand Canyon

Indian American leaders warn as US foreign student enrollment fall

9 top countries by international student population in 2026

Who is Vijay Chokal-Ingam? Indian-American man who pretended to be a 'man of colour' to get admission in

Chinese American professor sues Texas University for favoring Indian American faculty

California Governor appoints Indian American to Structural Pest Control Board

Hyderabad biz man and BJP leader booked over Rs 24.53 cr NRI fraud

Telugu Techie Dies In USA Due To Leukemia

Sports & Entertainment

Nepal vs USA Live Streaming: Where To Watch ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 Match On TV, Online In India?