AI TRACKING IMMIGRANTS
Sensex jumps 383 points, Nifty closes above 23,950 as benchmark indices scale 2-month highs. What lies ahead?
The Indian stock market has surged, with both Sensex and Nifty climbing to their highest points in two months. As investors keep a keen eye on outcomes from the US midterm elections, which could influence international exchanges, major sectors such as Realty and FMCG have thrived. There's a marked increase in buying from foreign institutional investors, suggesting renewed confidence in large-cap stocks.
US Midterms 2026: Cost of living and government corruption are top issues, AP Voter Poll says
Voters are participating in Election Day to influence control of the U.S. House and Senate. Many electorate members express dissatisfaction with the current economic situation attributed to Trump's policies. Polls indicate a significant desire for checks and balances on the presidency from Congress. Various gubernatorial candidates, along with major ballot measures, also shape the election landscape. Early voting statistics show heightened engagement compared to previous elections and reflect voter concerns.
Skyroot eyes funding boost; MDR deferment cheers D2C brands
Happy Thursday! Skyroot is eyeing a big funding round as it gears up to scale rocket production. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
12,700 tech professional return from US in 9 months
The data sourced from staffing firm Xpheno shows that the numbers have been steadily going up, from 7,200 in 2023 and 9,800 in 2024. The figures track white-collar technology talent moving along the India-US corridor and are not limited to H-1B visa holders.
There could be a pretty big global shock, says Nobel laureate & economist Michael Spence
Michael Spence highlights the economic growth of India and China, noting India's potential growth trajectory. He emphasizes India's advancements in digital infrastructure, particularly in digital financial services like UPI. Spence discusses the significance of AI in economic development and its anticipated impact over the next decade. He warns of potential economic shocks due to rising debt levels and high market valuations.
How Trump's war on EVs derailed America's auto-factory revival | Explained
US electric vehicle projects and jobs face setbacks due to policy shifts. Automakers canceled billions in investments and thousands of jobs were lost. Many affected states supported Donald Trump in the 2024 election. This situation contrasts with China and Europe's EV market growth. The industry now focuses on energy storage batteries and gasoline vehicles.
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Trump pledged fiscal restraint. Instead, debt tops $40 trillion as borrowing costs rise
US debt: While voters may not focus on the issue until the country's fiscal problems translate into benefit cuts or tax hikes, the fallout hits them just the same in the form of high mortgage interest rates that track yields on government debt and inflation outpacing wage hikes.

Sacked H-1B staff asked to do more B-2 paperwork
Tech giants such as Amazon, Oracle, and Meta have laid off thousands of employees in the past few months, and a large number of the affected people are estimated to be from India on H-1B visas. The visa rules give them 60 days to find new employment, or they must return to their home countries.

Fervent and fake: High-glam AI avatars boost Trump ahead of midterms
Clad in swimsuits or military fatigues, the blonde women lavish praise on President Donald Trump and tear into his rivals -- but these influencers are AI-generated, flooding tech platforms with fervent political messaging ahead of the US midterm election.

Bounty hunters and AI are helping ICE find immigrants in the US
US authorities are increasingly using private contractors and advanced AI to locate immigrants, a system dubbed 'skip tracing'. These firms, often with intelligence backgrounds, receive tens of thousands of names monthly to verify locations for potential enforcement. Financial incentives for speed raise concerns about accuracy and accountability in this expanding surveillance model.

Cabinet clears Rs 30,640 crore package for connectivity, immigration revamp, climate targets
India is set to boost regional air travel with the revamped UDAN 2.0 scheme. This initiative will develop 100 new airports and 200 helipads, focusing on tier-2 and tier-3 cities. Additionally, the IVFRT 3.0 scheme will modernize immigration and visa processes. These combined efforts aim to improve connectivity and ease of travel for all.

Google workers speak out in open letter against company’s links to immigration crackdown
Nearly a thousand Google employees have signed an open letter. They are calling for transparency on contracts with ICE and CBP. Employees are appalled by violence in immigration enforcement. They want Google to sever ties with these agencies. This push comes amid broader tech industry unrest.

Palantir CEO defends surveillance tech as US government contracts boost sales
The data analytics company said revenue derived from the U.S. government spiked 66% in the fourth quarter from the year-ago period to $570 million. Total sales of $1.41 billion exceeded analysts' estimates and the firm anticipates a big jump in sales, in part due to government contracts in 2026.

Level playing field? Tech at forefront of US immigration fight
Technology is now a major battleground between US authorities and migrants. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is spending millions on surveillance tools. Activists are developing apps like TurnSignl to protect migrants. This app connects users to immigration lawyers and records encounters. Corporations are offering subscriptions as employee benefits. The fight for the upper hand is on.

2025: The year the fight for techies became fierce
Nations are fiercely competing for tech talent in 2025, rewiring immigration rules to attract software engineers and AI specialists. While some countries like the US and UK have raised barriers and costs, others like Canada and France are offering faster tracks and clearer paths. This global race for skills highlights a critical shortage impacting digital infrastructure and advanced manufacturing.

Stock market today: Dow Jones, S&P 500, Nasdaq rise as Nvidia stock surges on OpenAI deal
Stock market gains continued Monday, September 22, with Dow Jones up 0.1%, S&P 500 rising 0.4%, and Nasdaq climbing 0.6%. Nvidia stock surged near all-time highs following $100 billion OpenAI investment announcement. Tesla stock reached 2025 highs while gold hit record $3,750 levels

Inside ICE's $30 mn deal with Palantir to track immigrants’ movements using AI
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is partnering with Palantir Technologies to develop ImmigrationOS, an AI platform for identifying and deporting suspected noncitizens. The $30 million system, slated for prototype delivery by September 2025, will consolidate government data to flag individuals for enforcement.

Paytm, Mobikwik shares slip; US onsite visas stall
Paytm and Mobikwik stocks slide after MDR rumour sparks selloff. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.

Palantir to create vast federal data platform tying together millions of Americans' private records, stock jumps
Palantir to create vast federal data platform that connects millions of Americans’ private records under a powerful AI system. Backed by the Trump administration, Palantir’s new deal links Social Security, IRS, and immigration data into one centralized system. It uses its Gotham software to flag fraud, track behavior, and potentially shape government decisions. While Palantir stock jumped 5.38% after the news, privacy advocates are raising concerns about surveillance and misuse.

Why Palantir Technologies is the Pentagon's favorite tech company — top facts revealed
Palantir Technologies is experiencing significant growth, driven by lucrative government contracts and increasing demand for its AI-powered defense technology. The Pentagon has substantially increased funding for Palantir's Maven Smart System, which analyzes data to detect threats.

UK gets tough on migration, doubles citizenship wait times
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced stricter immigration policies, including doubling the citizenship wait time to ten years, aiming to significantly reduce immigration over the next five years. Blaming the previous Conservative government for an "open borders experiment," Starmer pledged a controlled, selective, and fair immigration system.

Under pressure, UK govt to unveil flagship immigration plans
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to reveal a new immigration policy. This aims to reduce the number of arrivals in the country. The government plans to present an Immigration White Paper to parliament. New rules include longer residency requirements for citizenship. Stricter English language tests are also proposed.

AI will help make 'life-or-death' calls in rammed UK asylum system
The governing Labour party has pledged to hire more asylum caseworkers and set up a new returns and enforcement unit to fast-track removals for applicants who have no right to stay. At the end of 2024, the government had 90,686 asylum cases awaiting an initial decision, official data showed.

How AI is aiding Trump's immigration crackdown
Under President Trump, the U.S. is increasing its use of AI and surveillance to track and arrest immigrants, raising concerns about accuracy and privacy. Agencies like DHS and CBP are using tools like facial recognition and social media monitoring to track immigrants and justify warrants.

Job crunch, climate of uncertainty push Indian students in the US to explore multiple options
Facing tougher immigration rules and a shrinking job market in the US, Indian students are exploring various options to extend their stay. Some affluent parents are funding EB-5 visas for their children, while others are enrolling in additional programs or seeking short-term gigs.

With all the debate around H-1B visa, is the American Dream under threat for Indians?
The H-1B visa program, crucial for skilled professionals to work in the US, is facing heated debate amid political tensions and immigration policy controversies involving key figures like Trump and Musk. Stricter regulations and uncertainties are now driving many to consider alternate countries like Canada and Australia for stable career opportunities.

Surveillance tech advances by Biden could aid in Trump's promised crackdown on immigration
While immigration officials have used the tech for years, an October letter from the Department of Homeland Security obtained exclusively by The Associated Press details how those tools - some of them powered by AI - help make decisions over whether an immigrant should be detained or surveilled.

Surveillance tech advances by Joe Biden could aid in Donald Trump's promised crackdown on immigration
The incoming Trump administration is poised to leverage AI-powered tools, including a "Hurricane Score" algorithm and the SmartLINK surveillance app, to escalate immigration enforcement. These technologies, already employed by the Biden administration, assist in tracking, detaining, and deporting immigrants. Civil rights groups express concerns about fairness and data privacy, while private prison companies anticipate increased demand for their services.

No more long queues, self-service takes off at airports
Indian airports and airlines have embraced technology to streamline pre-departure processes, reducing human interaction. Passengers can now use AI bots for travel changes and self-service kiosks for boarding passes and baggage tags. Delhi airport has seen about 25% of passengers utilizing these services, significantly speeding up check-in. IndiGo’s AI bot has decreased customer service workload by 75%. The pandemic spurred this tech adoption, with travelers avoiding human contact. DigiYatra’s facial recognition speeds up airport entry, used by 90,000 passengers daily, and the government is testing biometric immigration checks.
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