The Ministry of External Affairs indicated on Thursday that it was monitoring the situation amid an escalating crackdown on US immigration. The Donald Trump-led government has deported hundreds of Indians since January 2025 — including those on F1 student visas — while others have been strongly urged to ‘self-deport’. Several countries have also issued travel advisories in recent weeks, citing aggressive ‘immigration enforcement’ as one of the reasons for additional caution.
“We are aware that several Indian students have received communication from the US government regarding their F1 visa status — which happens to be the student visa. We are looking into the matter. Our embassy and consulate are in touch with the students to provide support,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to a question.
Many European countries have updated their travel advisories to urge caution while visiting the US following reports of travellers being detained for weeks, abrupt visa cancellations and more. Tourists from Germany and the UK were among dozens of people who were denied entry into the US in recent weeks. Some of these individuals were also detained for extended periods of time at at US ports of entry — despite holding what they believed were the correct travel documents.
The speed and scope of the federal government’s efforts to terminate the legal status of international students have stunned colleges across the country. According to an AP article on Wednesday, hundreds of international students now fear deportation after losing their legal status terminated with little notice. To their knowledge, none of the students had committed a deportable offense.
The matter also reached US courts this month — with Indians among students suing the Trump administration for ‘abruptly and unlawfully’ revoking their F1 visas. Meanwhile 21-year-old Krish Lal Isserdasani made headlines on Wednesday after a federal judge blocked the US government’s attempt to deport him. The University of Wisconsin-Madison student had had his visa cancelled just weeks before he was slated to graduate.
The MEA remarks also come days before US Vice President JD Vance is slated to visit India with his family. The Republican leader is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss ‘economic and geopolitical priorities’ amid continued upheaval due to reciprocal tariffs. Several Indians have also faced the brunt of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in recent weeks — with many being urged to self-deport. People have also seen their visas being cancelled for various reasons while green card applications were halted in other cases.
“During his visit, he will meet the PM and discuss all bilateral issues between India and the US,” Jaiswal said during the weekly briefing.