NEW DELHI: The United States Embassy in New Delhi on Wednesday warned Indian students studying in the United States that any violation of US laws could lead to visa revocation, deportation and permanent ineligibility for future American visas.
In a post on X, the embassy said arrests or legal violations could have serious consequences for student visa holders.
“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,” it said, stressing that “a U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right.”
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. Follow the rules and don’t jeopardize your travel. A U.S. visa is a… pic.twitter.com/A3qyoo6fuD
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) January 7, 2026
The warning comes amid a broader tightening of immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump’s administration.
‘Significant criminal penalties’
On December 30, 2025, the US Embassy in India also warned Indian nationals of “significant criminal penalties” for illegally migrating to the US and breaking its laws.
Relations between Washington and New Delhi have become strained over the course of the year, due to US President Donald Trump’s sweeping 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods and India’s discomfort over US engagement with Pakistan after the May conflict between the two South Asian rivals.
In a post on X, the US Embassy posted a message reading, “If you break US law, you will be punished with significant criminal penalties. The Trump Administration is committed to ending illegal immigration to the United States and protecting our nation’s borders and our citizens.”
If you break U.S. law, you will be punished with significant criminal penalties. The Trump Administration is committed to ending illegal immigration to the United States and protecting our nation’s borders and our citizens. pic.twitter.com/bjKzUozpOh
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) December 30, 2025
Neither the US State Department nor US missions in Pakistan or other nations, including Afghanistan, Syria, Myanmar or China, have issued similar warnings.
Since taking office in January this year, Trump has vowed to crack down on illegal immigration in the US, rolling out policies and enacting mass deportations through 2025.
In February, a US military aircraft carried 104 deported Indians and landed in Amritsar. Although illegal Indian immigrants have been deported home by previous US administrations, it was the first time Washington used a military aircraft for the purpose.
Sharp fall in Indian student visas
According to official figures cited by international agencies, the United States issued 313,138 student visas in August 2025 — the peak intake month for US universities — a drop of 19.1 per cent from August 2024.
Indian students recorded the steepest decline, with 44.5 per cent fewer student visas issued year-on-year.
Chinese students overtook Indians as the largest group receiving US student visas, with 86,647 visas issued to Chinese nationals in August, more than double the number granted to Indians.
The student advisory follows similar warnings issued recently to H-1B and H-4 visa applicants. Last week, the US Embassy cautioned that violations of immigration rules could attract significant criminal penalties.
At the same time, H-1B applicants are facing longer waiting periods, with several visa appointments at US consulates in India cancelled or delayed after recent policy changes.
The Trump administration has also imposed higher fees on H-1B visas, widely used by Indian technology professionals, and restricted applications outside an applicant’s home consular jurisdiction.
H-1B visas allow companies to sponsor foreign workers with specialised skills — such as scientists, engineers, and computer programmers — to work in the United States, initially for three years, but extendable to six years.
India’s foreign ministry said that the Trump administration’s move to increase H1-B visa fees was likely to have humanitarian consequences, warning of potential disruptions for families affected by the policy.
Similarly, India’s leading trade body Nasscom said the timeline for implementing the new $100,000 fee for H-1B visas for high-tech workers in the United States was a “concern”.
The US Embassy has repeatedly warned against illegal immigration, describing it as a “fruitless journey”.
In a post dated January 2, it said undocumented migrants often fall prey to violent cartels, human traffickers and corrupt officials.
“Illegal immigrants are exploited and victimised. The only people who benefit from illegal immigration are traffickers,” it said.
Illegal immigrants are targets of violent cartels, human traffickers, and corrupt officials. Illegal immigrants are exploited and victimized in what ultimately proves to be a fruitless journey. The only people who benefit from illegal immigration are traffickers. pic.twitter.com/sloopB0Owr
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) January 2, 2026
