Nearly half of the international students whose visas were recently cancelled by U.S. authorities were Indian nationals, according to a new policy brief released by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). The report, dated April 17, has raised alarm over what it describes as an “arbitrary” and “opaque” crackdown targeting student visa holders.
Drawing on data from 327 individual cases, the AILA report reveals that 50% of those affected were Indian students, followed by 14% from China. Students from South Korea, Nepal, and Bangladesh were also among those impacted.
AI-Powered Surveillance and Visa Revocations
The policy brief attributes the surge in F-1 visa cancellations to a new initiative by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), reportedly titled “Catch and Revoke.” This program allegedly leverages artificial intelligence tools to scan student visa holders’ social media activity, and has led to visa terminations based on prior police interactions — even when no charges or convictions were involved.
The program has particularly affected students on Optional Practical Training (OPT), who had already graduated and were employed in the U.S. Termination of SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) records in such cases can leave students unable to work and complicate efforts to reinstate their status.
Key Statistics from the AILA Report:
- 4,736 SEVIS records have been terminated by ICE since January 20, 2025.
- 57% of students received notification of visa revocation from U.S. consulates, mainly via email.
- 83% only learned about SEVIS termination from their universities.
- 7% said they were never officially informed.
- While 86% of affected students had some level of police contact, 33% were never charged or prosecuted — with some cases involving only minor traffic infractions.
Shockingly, some of the students penalized included victims of domestic violence, who had reached out to law enforcement for help and later faced visa issues due to those interactions.
India Seeks Answers; MEA Responds
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has acknowledged the situation and assured students of support. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed during a press briefing that Indian missions in the U.S. are actively engaging with affected students.
“We are aware that several Indian students have been contacted by the U.S. government regarding their F-1 visa status. Our embassy and consulate are in touch with these students to offer assistance,” said Jaiswal.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh raised the issue publicly on X (formerly Twitter), urging External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to intervene. Sharing the AILA brief, Ramesh noted, “The reasons for these cancellations are inconsistent and unclear. This is causing growing fear and anxiety among students.”
Indian Students: Largest International Student Group in the US
According to Open Doors data, Indian students represented the largest international student group in the U.S. during the 2023-24 academic year, with 3.31 lakh enrolled — 29% of the total 11.26 lakh international students. China followed with around 2.77 lakh students.
As visa-related uncertainty grows, students and advocacy groups are urging greater transparency in enforcement and calling for diplomatic engagement to protect the rights of international learners.
