NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Washington, DC, May 19, 2025: In a move aimed at cracking down on illegal migration, the U.S. State Department on Monday announced visa restrictions on owners, executives, and senior staff of India-based travel agencies that allegedly facilitate unlawful entry into the United States.
The visa bans target individuals who, according to the U.S. government, knowingly aid migrants in circumventing legal immigration pathways. The action is part of a broader effort to dismantle human smuggling and trafficking networks operating across borders.
While the State Department has not released the names or numbers of those affected, the restrictions fall under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows denial of entry to individuals deemed detrimental to U.S. foreign policy interests.
“The United States is committed to holding accountable those who profit from and encourage illegal migration,” said a State Department spokesperson. “These travel agency operators are complicit in the dangerous journeys that many migrants endure, often at great personal risk.”
In a parallel warning issued on social media, the U.S. Embassy in India advised prospective travelers to adhere strictly to the terms of their visas. Overstaying a visa, officials warned, could result in deportation and a permanent ban on re-entry to the United States.
Back in India, some state governments have begun taking proactive measures. In March 2025, the Haryana state government passed the Registration and Regulation of Travel Agents Bill, which mandates the registration of all travel agents. The bill includes provisions for stringent penalties, including fines and jail terms, for agents involved in fraudulent immigration practices.
The issue of illegal migration has drawn renewed attention in recent months, particularly in light of reports that an increasing number of Indian nationals are attempting to enter the U.S. through irregular channels, including overland routes via Latin America.
