Indian students pursuing higher education in the United States are facing increased uncertainty due to the implementation of stricter visa screening protocols by the Trump administration. Recent developments include revoked F-1 visas and frozen SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) records, leading to academic disruptions and growing concerns over fairness and transparency in the visa process.
While U.S. authorities have reinstated the status of students affected by the SEVP record cancellations, a broader policy shift remains in place. On June 18, the U.S. Department of State announced the expansion of screening and vetting procedures for visa applicants under F, M, and J categories. The updated guidelines include enhanced scrutiny of applicants’ social media activity and require them to adjust privacy settings to “public” for review.
“The U.S. utilizes all available information in its visa screening and vetting process to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible to the United States, including those who pose a threat to U.S. national security,” the Department stated. It also emphasized that “every visa adjudication is a national security decision.”
The issue has resonated in India, surfacing in the Rajya Sabha during the current monsoon session. In response to an unstarred question, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) acknowledged growing apprehensions over prolonged delays and increased visa rejections affecting Indian students and professionals.
The Minister of State for External Affairs reaffirmed that visa issuance remains a sovereign decision of the host country. However, the Indian government is actively engaged with U.S. counterparts to promote mutually beneficial and secure mobility frameworks. These efforts aim to streamline legal pathways for student and professional migration, as well as to facilitate short-term travel for tourism and business.
Additionally, the MEA noted its ongoing cooperation with U.S. agencies to combat illegal immigration and human trafficking through coordinated action against criminal networks and facilitators.
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