The United States Embassy in India has sent a strong advisory to Indian nationals who are already in the US or intend to visit the country. The advisory, which was issued through X (formerly twitter), gives a warning of severe action against those who stay beyond their permitted visa duration, such as deportation and possible permanent denial of entry into the United States.

“If you remain in the United States beyond your authorized period of stay, you could be deported and could face a permanent ban on traveling to the United States in the future,” the US Embassy stated. The advice is aimed at Indian citizens traveling on all types of visas, which have a time constraint and necessitate austere compliance with limits of stay.

Trump Administration Toughens Immigration Policies

The guideline comes after a fresh crackdown on illegal immigration during the second term of US President Donald Trump. Since returning to office in January, Trump has put forward sweeping reforms to immigration policies, with an emphasis on limiting visa overstay and unauthorized immigrants. One of his first executive orders was to declare a national emergency at the southern US border. In February, three military planes reportedly deported hundreds of illegal immigrants, including Indian nationals, who had entered the country illegally.

The advisory by the US Embassy underscores the seriousness of visa adherence. Overstaying even for a couple of days can result in:
• Deportation
• A ban on reapplying for US visas
• A possible lifetime travel restriction

The alert is a reminder to Indian nationals on student (F-1), H-1B work visas, B-1/B-2 tourist visas, and so on to be strictly compliant with the conditions of their visa status. In accordance with the policies of the administration, fresh immigration regulations now mandate all foreign nationals residing in the US for over 30 days to be registered with the federal government. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids have further increased, and the government actively promotes self-deportation over detention.

Two recent high-profile news cases involving Indians further highlighted the administration's tough stance:

• Ranjani Srinivasan, a Columbia University PhD student, escaped to Canada after her visa was apparently revoked for her supposed involvement in a pro-Palestine protest. Srinivasan denied the accusation but was employed by US authorities as an example to others regarding self-deportation.
• Badar Khan Suri, a scholar at Georgetown University, was detained on suspicion of Hamas links through his wife's relatives. Despite being subsequently released by court order, the detention raised fears about racial profiling and freedom of association.

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Major Takeaways For Indian Travelers:

• Always verify the approved duration of stay on your visa and I-94 record.
• Apply for an extension well in advance if needed.
• Depart US before your visa expires to avoid legal trouble.
• Overstaying can impact future visa approvals not just for the US but for other Western countries as well.

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