AI technology is being used to evaluate students for deportation, temporary work permits are in danger, and green cards have been revoked. Many indians in the US are currently in this situation.
But that's not all. international students' visas are currently being revoked by the US for minor crimes like speeding and shoplifting, including many indian students. After their visas are withdrawn, these students will have 15 days to self-deport. But is there anything else they can do? This is the law in the United States.
The trump administration's strict immigration policies include these student visa revocations. In the United States, indian students make up the largest group of international students.
In 2023–2024, 11,26,690 international students were hosted in the United States, according to the Open Doors Report. This group supported more than 3,78,000 employment and made USD 43.8 billion in economic contributions to the US. A major change occurred when the number of indian students overtook that of Chinese pupils by november 2024.
F-1 visas are usually applied for by students who are coming to the US for academic courses. J-1 visas are granted for exchange programs, whereas M-1 visas are granted for vocational studies. Completing the DS-160 form, paying the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee, and attending an in-person interview where documents are checked are all part of the application procedure.
However, acceptance rates for student visas have decreased in recent months. Compared to FY 2023, there were 34% fewer indian student visas granted in FY 2024.
Furthermore, students enrolled in US colleges are currently having their visas revoked by the trump administration.
To the increasing number of incidents, Stanford university announced on april 4 that six of its students had their visas revoked.
Students are now being advised by colleges to always have their immigration paperwork on them. The current climate is very uncommon, according to Sarah Spitzer, vice president of the American Council of Higher Education. Thus far, visa cancellations have been connected to significant security risks rather than infractions or social media activities.
However, abrupt visa cancellations are now forcing several indian students to self-deport. According to reports, these cancellations are related to both a larger federal crackdown and small offenses.
GUIDANCE FOR indian students AND APPLICANTS
Immigration.com Managing Attorney Rajiv Khanna has released advice for indian applicants and students. He points out that people on F-1, M-1, and J-1 visas are now subject to rigorous social media screening powered by AI, according to two presidential orders, 14161 and 14188. Students are advised to keep track of their enrollment and academic status, stay away from international trips that can result in additional screening, and keep an eye on the email address they used throughout the visa application process for any developments.
Additionally, he cautions that reactivating a SEVIS record after it has been discontinued is a laborious and dangerous legal procedure. It can take a while to file for reinstatement with USCIS, and the results are frequently not favorable.
Students are prohibited from working, interning, or pursuing hands-on training during the waiting time. Even immigration judges are unable to examine a denial, which is even worse.
In an interview with The Washington Post, the chancellor of the university of Massachusetts asked other universities to consider how they can better safeguard and assist overseas students.
Khanna advises organizations to provide focused advice, establish procedures for handling visa revocations, and keep an eye on how rules are being applied—particularly in cases where discrimination is evident.
For many indian students in the US, the combined support and aid of immigration attorneys and colleges may be a relief. Indian students need to remain aware, cautious, and ready in an environment of increasing anxiety and administrative uncertainty.
But that's not all. international students' visas are currently being revoked by the US for minor crimes like speeding and shoplifting, including many indian students. After their visas are withdrawn, these students will have 15 days to self-deport. But is there anything else they can do? This is the law in the United States.
The trump administration's strict immigration policies include these student visa revocations. In the United States, indian students make up the largest group of international students.
In 2023–2024, 11,26,690 international students were hosted in the United States, according to the Open Doors Report. This group supported more than 3,78,000 employment and made USD 43.8 billion in economic contributions to the US. A major change occurred when the number of indian students overtook that of Chinese pupils by november 2024.
F-1 visas are usually applied for by students who are coming to the US for academic courses. J-1 visas are granted for exchange programs, whereas M-1 visas are granted for vocational studies. Completing the DS-160 form, paying the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee, and attending an in-person interview where documents are checked are all part of the application procedure.
However, acceptance rates for student visas have decreased in recent months. Compared to FY 2023, there were 34% fewer indian student visas granted in FY 2024.
Furthermore, students enrolled in US colleges are currently having their visas revoked by the trump administration.
To the increasing number of incidents, Stanford university announced on april 4 that six of its students had their visas revoked.
Students are now being advised by colleges to always have their immigration paperwork on them. The current climate is very uncommon, according to Sarah Spitzer, vice president of the American Council of Higher Education. Thus far, visa cancellations have been connected to significant security risks rather than infractions or social media activities.
However, abrupt visa cancellations are now forcing several indian students to self-deport. According to reports, these cancellations are related to both a larger federal crackdown and small offenses.
GUIDANCE FOR indian students AND APPLICANTS
Immigration.com Managing Attorney Rajiv Khanna has released advice for indian applicants and students. He points out that people on F-1, M-1, and J-1 visas are now subject to rigorous social media screening powered by AI, according to two presidential orders, 14161 and 14188. Students are advised to keep track of their enrollment and academic status, stay away from international trips that can result in additional screening, and keep an eye on the email address they used throughout the visa application process for any developments.
Additionally, he cautions that reactivating a SEVIS record after it has been discontinued is a laborious and dangerous legal procedure. It can take a while to file for reinstatement with USCIS, and the results are frequently not favorable.
Students are prohibited from working, interning, or pursuing hands-on training during the waiting time. Even immigration judges are unable to examine a denial, which is even worse.
In an interview with The Washington Post, the chancellor of the university of Massachusetts asked other universities to consider how they can better safeguard and assist overseas students.
Khanna advises organizations to provide focused advice, establish procedures for handling visa revocations, and keep an eye on how rules are being applied—particularly in cases where discrimination is evident.
For many indian students in the US, the combined support and aid of immigration attorneys and colleges may be a relief. Indian students need to remain aware, cautious, and ready in an environment of increasing anxiety and administrative uncertainty.
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