Shortly after an Indian woman was apprehended for shoplifting items worth about $1,300 at a Target store in the United States, the US Embassy in India issued a firm warning to visa holders.

US officials have repeatedly sent out scathing reminders, hitting it out against various visa holders or applicants amid the country’s immigration crackdown under the Donald Trump government. The latest particularly paints an excruciating reminder of what awaits those undertaking criminal activities in America.

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US Embassy issues visa warning after Indian woman’s Target theft video

“Committing assault, theft, or burglary in the United States won’t just cause you legal issues,” the US Embassy India page shared via X, adding how it could impact your legal status in the country. “It could lead to your visa being revoked and make you ineligible for future US visas. The United States values law and order and expects foreign visitors to follow all US laws.”

The fresh US visa warning comes just days after the State Department reiterated that those applying for nonimmigrant visas (F, M or J) must adjust their privacy settings on all their social media accounts to “public” to facilitate swift vetting. “The United States requires visa applicants to provide social media identifiers on visa application forms,” the post read. “We use all available information in our visa screening and vetting.”

Moreover, the same reminder surfaced hours ago: “Visa applicants are required to list all social media usernames or handles of every platform they have used from the last 5 years on the DS-160 visa application form.” The US Department of State further asserted that omitting this information could result in applicants’ visas being denied and ineligibility for future visas.

After the Target shoplifting incident, Indian woman says she is not going to stay in the US

The post hit the Internet in the aftermath of the video of the Indian woman being detained made it to social media. The clip, as exposed by YouTube channel @BodyCamEdition, captures visuals of the perp attempting to flee the store. However, her seven hour-long shopping visit ultimately runs out of steam when she is halted at the security gate. On being escorted to a back room, she was finally taken into custody.

Maintaining claims of her innocence, the woman is heard urging the authorities to set her free. “She has been in the store. We’ve been watching for at least 4 hours. She’s taken a ton of merchandise, different kinds,” says a man in the video. Although the clip only emerged recently, it dates back to the month of May. “We’re getting a total right now for you. It’ll be over 500 for sure,” he added.

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The alleged Target theft suspect repeatedly claims that she can pay for the all merchandise, while requesting her freedom. After she says, “Why can’t I just pay for it?” a cop insinuates that it’s “way past that,” as she has already “committed a felony.”

The officer detaining her in the video even demands the Indian woman to hand over her passport or valid identification. Asserting that she did not have her ID at the time, the suspect even gives out the wrong name – Anya. She was ultimately identified as Jamisha, as per her ID.

Doubling down on her apologies, the woman added, “I am not from this country. I am not going to stay here.” To which, a woman officer retorted, “Are you allowed to steal things in India? I did not think so.”