A recent report from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) reveals that nearly half of all international students in the United States who had their visas canceled or records terminated were from India. The report, released on April 17, raises concerns about an “arbitrary” and “unclear” enforcement effort targeting international students.
The data, gathered from 327 individual cases, shows that 50% of the affected students were from India. Other countries affected include China (14%), South Korea, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
This crackdown on student visas appears to be part of a new initiative by the U.S. Department of State and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The program, called “Catch and Revoke,” uses artificial intelligence (AI) to scan social media profiles of student visa holders. As a result, many students’ visas have been revoked based on their interactions with law enforcement, even if they were never convicted or charged with a crime.
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Indian students make up the largest group of international students in the U.S. during the 2023-24 academic year. Out of a total of 1.13 million international students, 331,602 were from India, which is 29% of the total. China follows with 277,000 students.
The report says that many of the affected students were already working in the U.S. on Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduating. These students face particular challenges because once their SEVIS record is terminated, they cannot immediately resume work, and the process to restore their status becomes more complicated after graduation.
Since January 20, 2025, ICE has canceled 4,736 student records, most of which were held by students on F-1 visas. Alarmingly, 57% of students learned about their visa cancellation through an email from the U.S. consulate, but 83% found out about their SEVIS termination from their universities. Some students didn’t receive any notification at all. The reasons for these cancellations are unclear and often inconsistent.
The report also highlights that 86% of the affected students had some form of police interaction, but 33% of them were never charged with a crime or their case was dismissed. Some of the students had minor issues like speeding tickets or routine traffic stops. In some cases, students who were victims of domestic violence and had contacted the police for help were also penalized with visa issues.
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Jairam Ramesh, a Congress leader, has expressed concern over the increasing number of Indian students facing visa cancellations. He urged the Indian government to take action on this issue and asked if External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar would raise it with the U.S. authorities.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has responded to the issue. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the Indian government is aware of the situation and is investigating the matter. Indian embassies and consulates in the U.S. are in contact with the affected students to offer support.
SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) is an online system used by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to track international students and exchange visitors in the U.S. It helps ensure that students comply with U.S. immigration laws by monitoring their academic progress and visa details. Both students and educational institutions rely on SEVIS to manage visa issuance, extensions, and compliance with immigration rules.
