Voice of America’s immigration news

In Monday statement to VOA, State Department ‘strongly condemns’ Iran’s sentencing of Reza Valizadeh, calls for his immediate release

Ten years after Bejing launched an ambitious effort called “Made in China 2025” to accelerate the country’s high-tech industries, VOA Mandarin speaks with experts about how the effort fared. Launched in 2015, "Made in China 2025" is an umbrella policy by the Chinese government to reduce reliance on foreign technology and help domestic companies to lead globally in high-tech industries like semiconductors, electric vehicles and renewable energy. China downplayed "MIC 2025" in recent...

Widespread closures continue across Iran because of a severe cold wave, an energy crisis and escalating air pollution. According to Iranian media reports, much of Tehran is expected to come to a complete halt Tuesday. Government offices, banks, schools, universities and judicial institutions will remain closed. Click here to see the full story in Persian.

For 11 years, Fatima Osman was hoping for the return of her son Muhammad. When the regime of President Bashar al-Assad fell, prisoners from Syrian jails were released. It was only then that Osman found out her imprisoned son was killed in prison 10 years ago. Click here for the full story in Kurdish.

Decision eliminates one potential off-ramp from the case ahead of Trump's return to office next month, but his lawyers have raised other arguments for dismissal

Food experts are raising concerns about the safety of agricultural imports into the Kurdistan Region, saying many products contain high levels of harmful chemicals like nitrite. These chemicals, often caused by excessive fertilizer use, can lead to serious health problems, including cancer. Despite warnings since 2019, many imported crops are not properly tested for chemicals, as smuggling and corruption allow unsafe products to enter the region unchecked. Click here for the full story in...

Amid growing dissatisfaction over power outages and widespread forced closures of schools, offices and industries, the U.S. dollar exchange rate in the Iranian market has hit a new record, surpassing 76,000 tomans as of Monday. This surge in the foreign currency exchange rate comes as government-imposed power cuts disrupt daily life and force the shutdown of several industrial zones. Click here to see the full story in Persian.

Former Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Saleh Mutlaq has warned that Iraq is heading in the wrong direction, plagued by corruption, political measures and a lack of vision for the future. Sunni Arab leaders, including Mutlaq, have called for a comprehensive national dialogue involving all communities to address Iraq's deep divisions and prevent further instability.  Click here for the full story in Kurdish.

The first delivery of 38 M1A2T Abrams main battle tanks purchased by Taiwan from the United States arrived early Monday at the army training base in Hsinchu County, northern Taiwan. Analysts say the tanks will provide a generational upgrade to Taiwan's armored forces. Click here to see the full story in Mandarin.

Masayoshi Son, head of the Japanese conglomerate SoftBank, said that Trump’s reelection has caused his confidence in the U.S. to ‘tremendously’ increase

Austin Tice has been held in Syria for more than 12 years

Business helped women travel to U.S. to deliver babies who would gain American citizenship

Congolese army loses territory in fighting with Rwanda-backed rebels

What is going on in the skies of the eastern United States? In recent weeks, countless drones have been spotted — and everyone from residents to the incoming president has questions. Anita Powell reports from Washington.

Group argues that migrants fill essential jobs in foreign countries and send much-needed remittances to their home countries

The change is being made in an effort to better reflect population shifts this decade, officials say

South Sudan is grappling with an influx of people living with disabilities as victims of ongoing conflicts in neighboring countries come in search of help

Rights group says sexual violence constitutes war crimes, and that it underscores the urgent need for international action to protect Sudanese civilians and deliver justice to victims

President-elect Donald Trump held his first news briefing since his election win. Speaking at Mar-a-Lago Trump began with the CEO of SoftBank Group at his side as and an announcement that the firm would invest $100 billion in the U.S. over the next four years. Trump pivoted into answering questions from reporters on a wide range of issues about his nominees, vaccines, Israel and Ukraine. For the main takeaways, we get insights from VOA Senior National Correspondent Steve Herman.