US Visa Cancellations Hits Indian Students Hardest

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC – The United States government’s recent crackdown on international students has disproportionately impacted Indian nationals, who make up the largest share of visa revocations. According to a report by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Indian students account for 50% of the 327 recent visa cancellations documented by the organization.

The AILA report, titled “The Scope of Immigration Enforcement Actions Against International Students,” also shows that students from China represent 14% of the cases, followed by individuals from South Korea, Nepal, and Bangladesh. However, Indian students remain the most affected by far.

Particularly hard-hit are students on Optional Practical Training (OPT), a program that allows F-1 students to work in the U.S. for up to 12 months after graduation. Half of the affected students were participating in OPT at the time of their visa revocation. Texas, California, New York, Michigan, and Arizona seeing the highest numbers of impacted students.

Over the past four months, the U.S. State Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have intensified scrutiny of foreign students—examining not only visa status but also alleged involvement in activism. Some reports suggest that artificial intelligence tools are being used to flag students, raising concerns about the possibility of inaccurate targeting, including individuals with no criminal records or links to campus protests.

 India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has taken note. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “We are aware that several Indian students have received communication from the U.S. government regarding their F-1 visa status. We are looking into the matter. Our Embassy and consulates are in touch with the students.”