US Embassy warns Indian student visa holders: Law violations may lead to....

The United States Embassy in India has issued a stern warning to international students, cautioning that violations of US laws could result in serious consequences, including visa revocation and deportation. The advisory, shared on social media on Wednesday, underlined that a US visa is a privilege and not a guaranteed right.

In a post on X, the embassy stated that international students who break US laws or are arrested may face immediate repercussions. “Breaking U.S. laws can have serious consequences for your student visa. If you are arrested or violate any laws, your visa may be revoked, you may be deported, and you could be ineligible for future U.S. visas,” the embassy said. The warning serves as a reminder for students to strictly adhere to American laws during their stay.

Crackdown Extends to Work Visas

The advisory follows a similar warning issued last week for applicants of H-1B and H-4 work visas. The embassy had then cautioned that violations of US immigration laws could attract significant criminal penalties, reflecting a broader tightening of visa enforcement.

Tougher Policies, Falling Student Numbers

The latest warning comes amid the Donald Trump-led US government’s intensified crackdown on illegal immigration and stricter scrutiny of student and work visa processes. As visa norms have tightened, new international student enrolments in the US declined by 17 percent last year. Data from August 2024 showed a 19 percent year-on-year drop in international student arrivals, the lowest since 2021, driven largely by a decline from India.

Long Waits and Immigration Warnings

H-1B visa applicants are also facing unprecedented waiting periods, with several visa appointments in India being cancelled or postponed by months following recent policy changes. On illegal immigration, the embassy earlier described it as a “fruitless journey,” warning that illegal immigrants often fall prey to traffickers and violent cartels.

A Clear Advisory

With these repeated warnings, the US Embassy has sent a clear message: compliance with laws and immigration rules is essential for students and workers hoping to study or work in the United States.