The US State Department and Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICIE) have intensified their scrutiny of international students, with over 1,000 visas now reportedly revoked. A significant number of affected students are from India, reflecting their status as the largest cohort of international students in the United States.
"A press statement issued yesterday by the American Immigration Lawyers Association is cause for concern to us in India. Out of the 327 visa revocation cases of international students collected by the organisation so far, 50% are Indians. The reasons for revocation are random and unclear. There is growing fear and apprehension," Jairam Ramesh, senior Congress leader, said in a post on X.
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has documented 327 cases of visa revocations and SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) terminations, revealing that 50% involved Indian nationals. Chinese students accounted for 14%, followed by students from South Korea, Nepal, and Bangladesh. AILA's policy brief raises alarms about the "arbitrary nature" of many of these actions.
TOI reported an Open Doors Report for the 2023–24 quoting the academic year that over 330,000 Indian students are currently pursuing higher education in the US—a 23% rise from the previous year. However, growing uncertainty appears to be dampening future aspirations. “There is growing fear and apprehension,” Congress MP Jairam Ramesh stated on X, urging India’s External Affairs Minister to raise the matter with his U.S. counterpart.
Several affected students have taken legal action, challenging the abrupt revocation of their legal status. US district courts have granted temporary restraining orders in some cases, allowing students to continue their studies. Meanwhile, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has acknowledged the issue. “We are looking into the matter,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, adding that the Indian embassy and consulates are in contact with the students.
A 21-year-old Indian student, Chinmay Deore is one of four international students from Michigan’s public universities who have filed a federal lawsuit against the US. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), seeking reinstatement of their immigration status after it was allegedly revoked without proper notice or explanation.
While Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian student at the Columbia University , has self deported after her visa was revoked by the Donald Trump administration. The State Department had revoked her visa last week because she participated in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University.
A large share of affected students were on Optional Practical Training (OPT), a program allowing international graduates to gain work experience in the U.S. According to AILA, 50% of impacted students were on OPT. “Reinstating status post-graduation is significantly more challenging,” the brief notes.
Concerns have also arisen over inconsistent enforcement. Some students reportedly had their SEVIS records terminated for minor infractions such as parking tickets or seatbelt violations—issues rarely deemed serious enough to affect immigration status. Additionally, delayed notification of SEVIS termination has left many unknowingly in violation of their visa terms.
AILA’s findings underscore the urgent need for transparency and uniformity in the handling of international student cases.
"A press statement issued yesterday by the American Immigration Lawyers Association is cause for concern to us in India. Out of the 327 visa revocation cases of international students collected by the organisation so far, 50% are Indians. The reasons for revocation are random and unclear. There is growing fear and apprehension," Jairam Ramesh, senior Congress leader, said in a post on X.
A press statement issued yesterday by the American Immigration Lawyers Association is cause for concern to us in India.
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) April 18, 2025
Out of the 327 visa revocation cases of international students collected by the organisation so far, 50% are Indians. The reasons for revocation are random… pic.twitter.com/dZfKJdiirR
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has documented 327 cases of visa revocations and SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) terminations, revealing that 50% involved Indian nationals. Chinese students accounted for 14%, followed by students from South Korea, Nepal, and Bangladesh. AILA's policy brief raises alarms about the "arbitrary nature" of many of these actions.
TOI reported an Open Doors Report for the 2023–24 quoting the academic year that over 330,000 Indian students are currently pursuing higher education in the US—a 23% rise from the previous year. However, growing uncertainty appears to be dampening future aspirations. “There is growing fear and apprehension,” Congress MP Jairam Ramesh stated on X, urging India’s External Affairs Minister to raise the matter with his U.S. counterpart.
Several affected students have taken legal action, challenging the abrupt revocation of their legal status. US district courts have granted temporary restraining orders in some cases, allowing students to continue their studies. Meanwhile, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has acknowledged the issue. “We are looking into the matter,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, adding that the Indian embassy and consulates are in contact with the students.
A 21-year-old Indian student, Chinmay Deore is one of four international students from Michigan’s public universities who have filed a federal lawsuit against the US. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), seeking reinstatement of their immigration status after it was allegedly revoked without proper notice or explanation.
While Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian student at the Columbia University , has self deported after her visa was revoked by the Donald Trump administration. The State Department had revoked her visa last week because she participated in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University.
A large share of affected students were on Optional Practical Training (OPT), a program allowing international graduates to gain work experience in the U.S. According to AILA, 50% of impacted students were on OPT. “Reinstating status post-graduation is significantly more challenging,” the brief notes.
Concerns have also arisen over inconsistent enforcement. Some students reportedly had their SEVIS records terminated for minor infractions such as parking tickets or seatbelt violations—issues rarely deemed serious enough to affect immigration status. Additionally, delayed notification of SEVIS termination has left many unknowingly in violation of their visa terms.
AILA’s findings underscore the urgent need for transparency and uniformity in the handling of international student cases.
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