U.S. Embassy In India Issues Visa Warning After Indian Woman Caught Shoplifting

India-West News Desk

NEW DELHI — The U.S. Embassy in India has issued a strong advisory warning that foreign nationals who commit crimes such as assault, theft, or burglary in the United States risk having their visas revoked—and could be barred from entering the country in the future.

The alert follows a widely publicized case involving an Indian woman who was allegedly caught shoplifting goods worth $1,300 from a Target store on May 1. The woman spent over seven hours inside the store collecting items before attempting to leave without paying. The incident sparked widespread attention after a video of the confrontation with a Target employee went viral.

Without directly naming the case, the embassy emphasized the legal consequences of criminal behavior while in the U.S.

“Committing assault, theft, or burglary in the United States won’t just cause you legal issues—it could lead to your visa being revoked and make you ineligible for future U.S. visas,” the embassy said in a statement posted to social media. “The United States values law and order and expects foreign visitors to follow all U.S. laws.”

The advisory serves as a clear warning to prospective and current visa holders to respect U.S. laws during their stay, as violations can have serious immigration consequences. Legal experts note that even misdemeanor offenses can trigger visa reviews or cancellations, especially if they fall under crimes involving moral turpitude, which are taken seriously under U.S. immigration law.