US embassy warns visa holders after viral deportation video: ‘It's a privilege, not a right'

Time of India

4 hours ago

NEW DELHI: The US Embassy in India has issued a sharp warning to visa holders, reiterating that 'a US visa is a privilege, not a right', and that violating US laws, even after arrival, can lead to visa revocation and ineligibility for future travel.
The statement, posted on the embassy's official X handle on Thursday, emphasized that screening doesn't end once a visa is issued, and any illegal activity, including drug use or breach of immigration laws while on a student or visitor visa, could have lasting consequences.
'Using illegal drugs or breaking any US laws while on a student/visitor visa can make you ineligible for future US visas. A US visa is a privilege, not a right… and we may revoke your visa if you break the law,' the embassy said.
Third warning this month
This is the third such advisory from the US Embassy in India in June alone, each one stressing Washington's firm stance against visa misuse and illegal immigration.
On June 10, the embassy stated that while the United States welcomes legitimate travellers, it "cannot and will not tolerate" illegal entry or violation of laws. A follow-up on June 16 went a step further, noting that the US has established new visa restrictions on foreign officials and facilitators of mass or illegal immigration.
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Indian student's deportation sparks outrage
The latest statement comes amid a surge in deportation cases and the circulation of a viral video showing an Indian student in handcuffs at Newark Airport, allegedly being deported. The clip, shared by Indian-American author Kunal Jain, triggered a wave of concern across Indian social media.
'I witnessed a young Indian student being deported from Newark Airport last night, handcuffed, crying, treated like a criminal.
He came chasing dreams, not causing harm,' Jain posted on X. He said the student appeared to be from Haryana and was heard shouting: 'I'm not crazy… they are hell bent to prove that I am crazy.'
Jain, who tagged the Indian Embassy and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, alleged that such deportations were becoming alarmingly routine. 'Every day 3-4 such cases are happening,' he wrote, describing the student as 'disoriented and helpless.'
Over 1,000 Indians deported in recent months
As per India's Ministry of External Affairs, 1,080 Indian nationals have been deported from the US since the Trump administration returned to power earlier this year. The recent crackdown in Los Angeles has also seen mass immigration sweeps, with Trump declaring, 'They spit, we hit,' in a controversial order during unrest in the city.