The report states that the Department of State and Immigration and Customs Enforcement are “aggressively targeting international students including those without a history of protest, for visa revocation, termination of their status, and removal”.
Published Apr 19, 2025 | 9:13 AM ⚊ Updated Apr 19, 2025 | 9:13 AM
US student visa (iStock)
Synopsis: 50 percent of all student visa revocations by the Trump administration in the United States have affected Indian nationals, according to a 17 April report by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). The report documents 327 cases of visa revocations and SEVIS record terminations, citing a lack of transparency and consistency.
Half of all student visa revocations by the Donald Trump-led United States administration have affected Indians, according to a new report by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
The report, titled Policy Brief: The Scope of Immigration Enforcement Action Against International Students, was released on 17 April.
It documents 327 cases of visa revocations and terminations of Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records, based on reports from attorneys, students and university staff.
“These reports paint a concerning picture of the arbitrary nature of these visa revocations and terminations,” AILA said.
The organisation stated that the Department of State (DOS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are “aggressively targeting international students including those without a history of protest, for visa revocation, termination of their status, and removal”.
Of the 327 reported cases, 50 percent involved Indian students. Chinese nationals accounted for 14 percent, with others coming from South Korea, Nepal and Bangladesh.
In 57 percent of the cases, students said they were notified of their visa revocation, with most notices coming by email from the issuing consulate.
“Only 2 students reported any history of engaging in political protests,” the report stated.
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh shared the report on X, and demanded action from External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
“A press statement issued yesterday by the American Immigration Lawyers Association is cause for concern to us in India. Out of the 327 visa revocation cases of international students collected by the organisation so far, 50 percent are Indians. The reasons for revocation are random and unclear,” he wrote.
“There is growing fear and apprehension. Will the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar take note and raise the concern with his US counterpart?”
A press statement issued yesterday by the American Immigration Lawyers Association is cause for concern to us in India.
Out of the 327 visa revocation cases of international students collected by the organisation so far, 50% are Indians. The reasons for revocation are random… pic.twitter.com/dZfKJdiirR
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) April 18, 2025
Similarly, writer and activist Meena Kandasamy wrote:
“Hope our people come out of their american dream fixation and see the violence of US imperialism for what it really is.”
AILA also highlighted concerns about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to screen social media activity of international students. Last month, Secretary Rubio announced that the Department of State had revoked more than 300 student visas and introduced a new “Catch and Revoke” programme.
The report raised questions about inconsistencies in SEVIS data and notifications. “Of the reports where it was clear where the notice came from, 83 percent received notice from only their university,” AILA said.
It added, “The stated rationale for the SEVIS termination was not always consistent with the record.”
Seventeen reports involved SEVIS terminations allegedly due to a “criminal record and/or their visa was revoked when the student does not have a history of interaction with the police and there was nothing in their record that would prompt a visa revocation”.
“Based on these reports, it is clear that transparency, oversight, and accountability are needed to prevent further arbitrary visa revocations and SEVIS record terminations,” the report stated.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
