Visa Jolt for Indian Students in the U.S.: Hundreds Face Cancellation Shock
#News Bureau April 19,2025
U.S. Revokes Visas of 327 International Students — Nearly Half Are Indians on Post-Study Work Program (OPT)
US Revokes Visas of 327 Students — Half Are Indians, Most on Legal Work Program
In a move that’s triggered serious concern, the U.S. government has cancelled the visas of 327 international students — with nearly half of them being Indian nationals. Most of these students were on OPT (Optional Practical Training), a legal work permit granted to international students after completing their studies.
What is OPT?
OPT allows students to work in the U.S. for one year post-graduation, and those in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields can extend it by an additional 24 months. But many of the students caught up in this wave now find themselves in a legal limbo due to the cancellation of their SEVIS records.
Why SEVIS Matters
SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) is a federal tracking database for all student visa holders. Once a student’s SEVIS record is closed, their visa becomes invalid, making it illegal for them to live or work in the U.S. Some are now even under investigation by ICE.
Alarming Findings from AILA
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) revealed that 86% of the affected students had some minor brush with the law — often for trivial reasons like speeding, parking errors, or administrative lapses. About 34% had no criminal record at all.
In one peculiar case, a student was arrested for accidentally changing lanes in front of what he thought was a fire truck — it was actually a police car.
Political Involvement? None.
Contrary to speculation, only two students had any links to political demonstrations. The vast majority were not politically active.
How Students Found Out
Shockingly, most students were notified by their colleges via email — not by U.S. authorities. This has only deepened the confusion and panic.
India Reacts
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called the situation serious and urged External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to step in. The Indian government responded, saying it is aware and actively helping. The Indian Embassy and Consulates are reportedly in touch with the affected students.
Wider Implications
Out of the 1.126 million international students in the U.S. during 2023–24, over 331,000 were Indian — nearly one in three. Experts warn that the scale of this action against Indian students suggests this may be more than just an administrative crackdown.
The Big Question
Is this a one-off incident or part of a larger trend? Are Indian students being unfairly targeted? While the Indian government offers reassurances, for many students, the future remains uncertain.
