The Indian government has stepped in to assist students facing F-1 visa revocation in the United States. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Indian missions in the US are in contact with affected students and offering potential assistance. This move comes amid a crackdown by the Department of State (DOS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on international students, disproportionately affecting Indian students.
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) reported that 50% of cases involving visa revocation and SEVIS record termination involve Indian students. A total of 327 cases were analyzed, with Indian students making up half of the affected students. The MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, confirmed that the Indian government is aware of the situation and is looking into the matter.
According to AILA, ICE has terminated 4,736 SEVIS records since January 20, 2025, with the majority being F-1 status holders. Over 240 colleges and universities have identified 1,550 international students and recent graduates whose legal status has been modified by the State Department. This has sparked widespread concern among international students, who fear arrest and deportation due to the termination of their SEVIS status.
Some international students have started filing lawsuits against the Donald Trump administration in the United States. An Indian student was among four students at Michigan public universities who filed a lawsuit against their possible deportation after their student immigration status was terminated. The lawsuits aim to challenge the termination of SEVIS records and the revocation of study visas.
The MEA has assured that Indian missions in the US are in touch with affected students to provide support. Jaiswal stated, “We are aware that several Indian students have received communication from the US government regarding their F-1 visa status, We are looking into the matter. Our embassy and consulates are in touch with the students to provide support.”
The visa revocation and SEVIS record termination have raised concerns among education stakeholders and family members of affected students. The inconsistent application of visa policies and the lack of transparency in the visa cancellation process have been criticized. The Indian government is working to address the concerns of its citizens and ensure that they receive fair treatment. The Indian government’s intervention in supporting students facing F-1 visa revocation in the US highlights the growing concerns over the impact of the Trump administration’s policies on international students.
