The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has formally raised concerns with the United States regarding the increasing number of Indian students receiving visa revocation notices. The development comes ahead of the scheduled visit of U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and senior State Department officials to New Delhi on Monday, April 21, 2025. Government sources confirmed that the matter was taken up through diplomatic channels after a recent survey by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) revealed that 50% of students impacted by U.S. visa revocations were Indian nationals.

Survey Findings and U.S. Denial of Targeting

The AILA survey analyzed 327 responses from affected students out of an estimated 4,000 visa revocation notices issued in the past two months. Of these, half were Indian students, followed by 14% from China, and others from countries like South Korea, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Despite the data, a senior American official dismissed the notion of targeted action. In a written statement to The Hindu, the official said, “Continuous vetting and visa revocation actions are not limited to visa holders from any specific country or area in the world.”

Background on Visa Revocations

The revocations are part of a new initiative titled "Catch and Revoke", launched by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The program uses AI tools to screen international students for behavior or views considered contrary to U.S. foreign policy, often based on social media activity. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has begun terminating visas of students whose names appear in police databases, even for minor violations, such as traffic infractions or campus incidents. One reported case involved a domestic abuse victim who lost visa status because their name appeared in a police complaint. Out of the 327 reviewed cases, only two involved alleged political activity, highlighting the broad and often ambiguous reasons for revocations.

Indian Government's Response and Support

Initially, the MEA urged students to strictly follow U.S. laws. However, the Indian government’s position has since evolved. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that the Indian embassy and consulates are actively in touch with affected students and are extending support to those pursuing legal remedies to restore their SEVIS status. Indian students Ranjani Srinivasan and Badar Khan Suri were among the first to face visa issues under this new policy, with several more cases emerging across the U.S.

Legal and Economic Concerns

AILA criticized the arbitrary nature of the revocations, with Executive Director Ben Johnson emphasizing the potential harm to both students and the U.S. economy. “International students contribute billions of dollars to the economy. Scholars and researchers strengthen the country through critical work in areas like cancer research, space exploration, and technology,” Johnson said. Legal experts also pointed out that students whose visas are revoked may still remain in the U.S. and continue studies, provided their university does not disenroll them.

Upcoming Diplomatic Engagements

While the MEA has not confirmed whether the visa issue will be directly discussed during Vice President Vance’s visit, it is expected that the matter will be part of broader bilateral discussions. Vance will also visit Jaipur and Agra following the official meetings in Delhi. U.S. officials, including Assistant Secretary of State Ricky Gill, will participate in the India-U.S. Strategic Forum hosted by the MEA and organized by the Ananta Centre. The official talks will cover a range of bilateral matters, potentially including trade issues, visa policy, and student exchanges, underscoring the growing complexity of India-U.S. relations in the current geopolitical landscape.