MEA Responds as Indian Students Face F-1 Visa Revocations in the US

In a growing diplomatic development, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Thursday that the Indian government is actively addressing rising concerns surrounding Indian students’ F-1 visa issues in the United States. The announcement follows a spate of alarming incidents involving Indian nationals, including mass deportations, abrupt visa revocations, and reports of tourists and green card holders being denied entry into the US.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal acknowledged the troubling trend during a press briefing, stating, “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 consulate are in touch with the students.”

The statement comes as fears mount over what appears to be a broad, coordinated enforcement action affecting hundreds of Indians, many of whom are in the US legally, either as students, workers, or green card holders.

F-1 Visas: Deportations Highlight Strained Migration Policies

The crisis deepened earlier this year when CNN reported that at least 104 Indian nationals were deported from the United States on February 4 aboard a military aircraft. The deportees, many from Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Punjab, landed in Amritsar the next day after being flown in what was the longest-distance deportation flight since such methods began under former President Donald Trump’s administration.

A parallel narrative emerged from Panama, where migrants, mostly from Asian nations, were detained in remote camps under strict surveillance before being deported. Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, confirmed that at least 55 Indian nationals had been deported through Panama since January alone.

“These individuals returned via Panama and were mostly held under harsh conditions,” Singh stated, underlining the seriousness of the situation.

Legal Pushback and Student Resistance

The deportation wave has not gone unchallenged. Earlier this month, a group of Indian students initiated legal proceedings in US courts, alleging that the Trump administration had “abruptly and unlawfully” revoked their F-1 student visas. The lawsuits aim to challenge the legality of the deportations and provide some protection for those still at risk.

One such student, 21-year-old Krish Lal Isserdasani from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, made headlines when a federal judge temporarily blocked his deportation. His F-1 visa was cancelled just weeks before his graduation, sparking national debate around student rights and immigration protocols.

Upcoming Visit by US Vice President JD Vance

These developments come just days before US Vice President JD Vance is set to visit India with his family. The visit, framed as a diplomatic outreach to discuss “economic and geopolitical priorities,” includes scheduled talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“During his visit, he will meet the PM and discuss all bilateral issues between India and the US,” Jaiswal confirmed, adding that immigration and visa concerns will feature prominently in the talks.

The visit takes place amid a backdrop of reciprocal tariffs and heightened scrutiny over the treatment of Indian nationals abroad. It is seen as an opportunity for both nations to recalibrate their relationship as they navigate the turbulent waters of immigration policy and international student exchanges.

A Call for Transparency and Protection

The issue of Indian students’ F-1 visa issues has sparked outrage and confusion among affected families, many of whom have made substantial financial and emotional investments in their children’s overseas education. Legal experts and human rights groups are calling for more transparency from the US government and stronger advocacy from Indian diplomatic channels.

“These students are not just statistics. They represent the aspirations of an entire generation,” said Priya Sharma, a legal advisor for an international student union based in New York. “Abrupt policy changes and detentions undermine the very values that both India and the US claim to uphold.”

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