• By Sakshi Srivastava
  • Sat, 12 Jul 2025 04:18 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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US Visa: In a clear and stern message to current and prospective US visa holders, the US Embassy in India has warned that holding a visa does not grant immunity from deportation. The embassy stated that any violation of American laws or immigration regulations could lead to immediate revocation of the visa and deportation from the country.

“U.S. visa screening does not stop after a visa is issued,” the embassy said in a statement posted on social media platform X on Saturday. “We continuously check visa holders to ensure they follow all U.S. laws and immigration rules – and we will revoke their visas and deport them if they don’t.”

The warning comes amid a wider crackdown on immigration violations, in line with the Trump administration’s more aggressive enforcement approach. Over recent weeks, U.S. immigration authorities have released a series of digital advisories highlighting increased scrutiny for non-immigrant visa holders, particularly students and exchange visitors. The embassy also reminded applicants of F, M, and J visa categories — commonly issued to students and academic exchange participants — to make their social media accounts public. This request aims to help immigration officers verify identity and background, as part of an intensified vetting process.

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A day prior to Saturday's advisory, the embassy warned that “falsifying or omitting information” related to social media activity could lead to visa denials or permanent ineligibility for future applications. “Every visa adjudication is a national security decision,” read a previous statement issued last month, reinforcing the idea that a U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right. In fact, since 2019, visa applicants have been required to submit details of all social media platforms used in the past five years — a rule that has now become central to identity verification and background checks. Authorities claim this process is vital to evaluate a person’s admissibility under U.S. law. Adding to the tightening of regulations, a new 250 USD “Visa Integrity Fee” will come into effect from 2026. Applicable to all non-immigrant visa categories, the fee has been described as a security deposit that may be refunded upon compliance with certain criteria.

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The embassy reiterated that immigration violators — including those entering illegally or committing fraud — may face jail time, deportation, and bans on future entry. In a June 28 advisory, the US mission warned: “If you break U.S. law, you will be punished with significant criminal penalties.” It further stated that anyone attempting visa fraud would be “held responsible.” The latest warning from the U.S. Embassy comes at a time of heightened awareness and scrutiny around immigration procedures.