Sat Dec 27 03:41:00 UTC 2025: News Article:
India Raises Concerns with US Over H-1B Visa Interview Cancellations Due to Social Media Scrutiny
New Delhi, India – The Indian government has engaged with the United States regarding the abrupt postponement of thousands of H-1B visa interviews, initially scheduled from December 15th onwards. These interviews have been delayed, in some cases, as far as May 2026.
The cancellations are reportedly linked to the US government’s new policy of scrutinizing applicants’ social media profiles. Indian nationals have expressed concern over the rescheduled appointments.
A Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed at a press briefing that India has “flagged these issues and our concerns to the US” both in India and in Washington. While acknowledging that visa-related matters fall under the sovereign domain of the US, the spokesperson emphasized India’s continued engagement to “minimize disruptions to our nationals.”
The US government requires H-1B applicants to keep their social media profiles in “public” mode for review. US immigration officials will then analyze the profiles to identify individuals deemed to pose a threat to national security or public safety. The State Department defended the policy, stating that “every visa adjudication is a national security decision.”
The social media screening is the latest in a series of changes to the H-1B program, including a one-time $100,000 fee on new H-1B work visas imposed by the Trump administration in September, a move challenged by business and academic groups.
These changes are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to tighten immigration policies, citing concerns about protecting American jobs and national security. President Trump has argued that the H-1B visa program, which awards 85,000 visas annually, is being abused to replace US workers with lower-paid foreign employees.
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