Amid the US government’s intensified crackdown on immigration violations under President Donald Trump, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers have been conducting raids across several cities to identify individuals breaching visa conditions.
In one such incident that triggered widespread concern, reports emerged on social media claiming that two Indian students on F-1 visas were detained by ICE agents at an Indian restaurant in St Louis Park, Minnesota. Images purportedly from the scene went viral, sparking anxiety among Indian students and the wider diaspora in the United States.
However, in a relief to the Indian community, the latest updates confirm that both students were released within a few hours. According to reports, ICE officers verified their visa status and supporting documents, confirmed that the students were legally residing in the country, and allowed them to leave without further action.
While the incident ended without legal consequences, it has once again drawn attention to the risks faced by international students who violate US immigration rules. Under F-1 visa regulations, students are permitted to work only in on-campus jobs for a maximum of 20 hours per week during academic semesters.
Despite this, many students reportedly take up off-campus employment in Indian restaurants, malls, motels, or gas stations—often paid in cash—an arrangement that constitutes a serious violation of visa conditions. Such violations can lead to loss of F-1 status, visa cancellation, deportation, and long-term damage to future employment or immigration prospects in the US.
Immigration experts are now urging Indian students to exercise extreme caution, comply strictly with visa regulations, and avoid unauthorized employment while pursuing their education.
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