What is the story about?
The US State Department on Monday stated that the Trump administration has revoked more than 175,000 visas from foreign nationals under President Donald
Trump's administration. This has raised concerns among international students, including thousands of Indians, pursuing higher education in the country. While the latest visa revocation figures do not directly indicate that Indian students have been targeted, Indian students should remember that those on F-1 visas could face serious consequences if they violate any immigration rules or the conditions attached to their status/ visa.
For Indian students, the possible areas of concern can be:
Unauthorised employment
Students on F-1 visa are legally permitted to work in the US under very specific conditions such as eligible on-campus employment or authorised programmes including Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT). Any F1- visa student who is found to be employed outside of these conditions, could face visa revocations.
Overstaying visa
All visas, including F-1 visa, are valid till a specified date, which is always mentioned on the officially-issued visa. If any student is found to be in violation of this condition, i.e. if anyone is found to have overstayed in the United States of America (USA) after the specified date, then their visas can be revoked. Additionally, students should also understand the applicable grace periods rather than relying solely on the visa stamp in their passport.
Misrepresentation or fraud
The US State Department will also take action against students who are found to be involved in cases involving misrepresentation or fraud. These situations can include providing false information during the visa application process or immigration procedure. Participating in convictions or arrests, including offences such as driving under the influence (DUI), can also negatively affect a student's visa or immigration status.
Maintain valid F-1 and SEVIS status
Another main requirement is ensuring that students on this visa maintain their F-1 and SEVIS status. Students on this visa should ensure that their status remains valid legally. For this, visa holders should ensure they are up-to-date with timely updates from the government, and their school/ university send timely updates to the authorities and comply with the conditions of their programme.
For all Indian students who are currently in the US on student visa, or planning to head to the US for a study abroad programme, should ensure they are familiar with all the rules attached to their visa.
