Visa is privilege, not a right: US State Dept warns of deportations

India Today

4 days ago

The US Department of State has issued a firm statement, warning visa holders that the US visa is not a guaranteed right, but a privilege – one that can be revoked if the holder violates American laws.The department, in the statement, warned that individuals arrested for crimes such as assault, domestic violence, or other serious offences while in the United States may face immediate visa revocation and become ineligible for future US visas.advertisement"If you are arrested for assault, domestic violence, or other crimes while in the United States, your US visa may be revoked, and you may be ineligible for future US visas. A visa is a privilege, not a right – one that can be revoked if you break the law," the Department of State Consular Affairs said in the statement issued on Tuesday.
One wrong move can cost you your right to stay – the US expects all visitors to respect its laws or face permanent visa consequences, the Department of State also said.VISA HOLDERS WHO BREAK US LAWS RISK DEPORTATIONThe State Department said that just one bad move can lead to permanent visa consequences."One bad decision can lead to permanent consequences for your visa. The United States values law and order and public safety, and we expect visitors to obey the law," the State Department said.Earlier on Saturday, the US Embassy in India also issued such a warning, asking visa holders to follow all American laws.The US Mission cautioned that visa holders who break US laws or immigration regulations risk deportation, highlighting the continuation of tougher immigration enforcement policies introduced during the Donald Trump administration."US visa screening does not stop after a visa is issued. We continuously check visa holders to ensure they follow all US laws and immigration rules – and we will revoke their visas and deport them if they don't," the embassy said in a post on X.The embassy's warning follows a recent advisory from the mission urging applicants for F, M, and J non-immigrant visas – commonly granted to students and exchange visitors – to keep their social media profiles public to facilitate screening by US immigration officials.The move is part of the Trump administration's ongoing efforts to "enhance security and ensure the integrity" of the visa process."Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media accounts to the public to facilitate the vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States under US law," the Embassy in India posted on X in the last week of June.US INTRODUCED VISA INTEGRITY FEE FOR ALL NON-IMMIGRANT VISA CATEGORIESadvertisementThe Trump administration recently implemented yet another change in its immigration policy with the introduction of a $250 Visa Integrity Fee under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed into law on July 4.The fee, adjusted annually based on inflation, acts as a security deposit and may be refunded if applicants meet specific conditions. It is yet another part of the Trump administration's effort to encourage compliance with US immigration laws.The change will come into effect in 2026.- EndsTune InMust Watch