Sat Apr 19 07:19:38 UTC 2025: ## US Student Visa Revocations Spark Concerns in India

**New Delhi, April 19, 2025** – The U.S. government’s recent revocation of thousands of student visas has raised concerns in India, with a significant number of affected students being Indian nationals. A survey by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) found that 50% of the 327 reported revocations—out of an estimated 4,000—involved Indian students, sparking allegations of targeting.

While a U.S. official denied discriminatory practices, stating that vetting applies to all visa holders, the AILA report highlights the disproportionate impact on Indian students. Many revocations stemmed from minor infractions like traffic violations or campus incidents, with some cases involving victims of domestic abuse whose names appeared in police reports. Only two cases involved alleged political activity.

The surge in visa revocations follows the implementation of a new AI-powered “Catch and Revoke” program by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aimed at identifying students with allegedly anti-U.S. political views based on social media activity. Simultaneously, the Department of Homeland Security is cracking down on students with police records.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has acknowledged the situation, stating that it is assisting affected students. However, it remains unclear whether the issue will be directly raised during the upcoming visit of U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and senior State Department officials to Delhi on April 21st. While the MEA spokesperson stated that all bilateral issues would be discussed, they did not confirm whether student visa revocations would be a specific point of conversation.

The AILA has expressed concerns about the economic and security implications of driving away international students, who contribute billions to the U.S. economy and make significant contributions to research and development. The situation underscores growing anxieties surrounding U.S. immigration policies and their impact on international students.

Read More