Amid stricter US immigration policies, dozens of Indian students have had their F-1 student visas revoked over minor criminal offenses, including traffic violations and shoplifting. Recent reports highlight that some students, who had already resolved their legal issues, were shocked to receive emails from their Designated School Officials (DSOs) instructing them to leave the country.
This move comes as the US sees an increase in visa denials, with 2.79 lakh of 6.79 lakh F-1 visa applications denied in 2023-24. Indian students, now the largest group of foreign students in the US, have been particularly affected, with a significant drop in visa approvals compared to last year. While the US State Department has not provided specific reasons for the increased rejections, officials point to changes in immigration policies and data handling.