NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Washington, DC, May 28, 2025: Earlier this week, the U.S. Embassy in India issued a stern warning to Indian students currently studying in the United States. The embassy emphasized that those who skip classes, drop out, or leave their program of study without notifying their academic institutions risk having their visas revoked—and may be rendered ineligible for future U.S. visas.
This warning comes in the context of the Trump administration’s broader push for stricter immigration enforcement. Since March 2025, more than 1,000 international students—nearly half of them Indian nationals—have had their visas or legal statuses revoked. Many of the affected students were enrolled at top-tier institutions such as Harvard, Stanford, and MIT.
Students have reportedly faced visa termination not only for academic violations, but also for minor legal infractions like traffic offenses or participation in peaceful protests. In several instances, visa revocations occurred without prior notice, prompting lawsuits against the Department of Homeland Security. Plaintiffs argue that the abrupt decisions deny due process and lack proper justification.
Adding to the anxiety, a diplomatic cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio has directed U.S. consular officers to temporarily pause the processing of F (academic), M (vocational), and J (exchange visitor) visa applications. The pause, the cable states, is to allow for the finalization of new security protocols that aim to screen applicants’ social media activity more rigorously.
Under this directive, visa officers must now refer certain applicants to the State Department’s Fraud Prevention Unit for a deeper review of their digital footprint. Consular staff have been instructed to take and archive screenshots of any potentially concerning posts—even if the content is later deleted by the applicant. The new measures are part of a wider national security initiative intended to identify perceived threats before they enter the country.
In response, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has voiced concern over the abrupt changes and is in communication with U.S. counterparts to provide support to affected students. Meanwhile, universities across the United States are urging international students to remain compliant with their visa conditions and to consult campus international offices for guidance.
Legal experts recommend that students:
- Maintain full-time enrollment and class attendance
- Notify their schools immediately of any academic status changes
- Refrain from posting content on social media that could be misinterpreted or considered controversial
- Consult legal counsel if faced with any visa-related issues
With heightened scrutiny now extending to online behavior, Indian students hoping to study or continue their education in the U.S. are being advised to stay informed, cautious, and fully compliant with all regulations.
