US Advices Indian Students on Law Compliance
The United States (US) Embassy in India has issued a renewed warning to Indian students, cautioning that any violation of US laws could have severe consequences for their visa status. The embassy stressed that arrests or legal infractions may result in the cancellation of a student visa, deportation, and even long-term bans on obtaining US visas in the future.
In a post shared on social media platform X, the embassy reminded students that holding a US visa is a privilege rather than an entitlement. It emphasised that compliance with local laws is mandatory and that failure to do so can jeopardise an individual’s ability to remain in the country or return later. “Breaking US 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 US visas. Follow the rules and don’t jeopardise your travel. A US visa is a privilege, not a right,” US embassy X post read.
This advisory follows a similar alert issued last week for applicants of H-1B and H-4 visas. In that notice, the embassy warned that breaching US immigration rules could lead not only to visa denial but also to serious criminal penalties, underscoring the Government’s increasingly strict stance on immigration enforcement.
At the same time, skilled professionals seeking employment through the H-1B visa program are facing unusually long waiting periods. Following recent policy shifts, multiple visa appointment slots at US consulates in India were either cancelled or postponed by several months, creating uncertainty for applicants.
On illegal immigration, the embassy struck a stark tone, describing unauthorised migration as a “fruitless journey.” In a January 2 post, it warned that undocumented migrants often fall prey to violent criminal gangs, human traffickers, and corrupt intermediaries. According to the embassy, traffickers are the primary beneficiaries of illegal migration, while migrants themselves face exploitation and danger.
Despite these challenges, India continues to be the largest source of international students in the United States. A 2025 report released by the US-based Institute of International Education on November 17 showed that more than 3,60,000 Indian students were enrolled in US institutions during the 2024-25 academic year, reflecting a 9.5 per cent increase over the previous year.
The report noted that Indian students accounted for nearly half of all graduate-level international enrolments and about one-third of total foreign student numbers in the US Overall enrolment from India rose by around 10 per cent, even though some graduate programs experienced a downturn.
According to the study, the decline in certain segments is linked to heightened scrutiny introduced during the Trump era. These include over 170 investigations into alleged misuse of the H-1B visa, proposals for a steep $1,00,000 H-1B application fee, and legislative efforts by conservative lawmakers to limit or dismantle the program. Since January, the US State Department has reportedly revoked at least 6,000 student visas.
International students make up roughly six per cent of the US higher education population and play a significant economic role, contributing close to $55 billion annually and supporting more than 3,55,000 jobs across the country.
