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Scroll.in
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Scroll.in
US imposes visa restrictions on Indian agents accused of ‘facilitating illegal immigration'
The United States Department of State on Monday announced visa restrictions on people working with Indian travel agencies found to have been 'knowingly facilitating illegal immigration to the United States'. The state department said its Consular Affairs and Diplomatic Security Service mission in India had identified those 'engaged in facilitating illegal immigration and human smuggling and trafficking operations'. 'We will continue to take steps to impose visa restrictions against owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies to cut off alien smuggling networks,' the department said in its statement. The department added that its aim was not only to inform foreign nationals about the dangers of illegal immigration to the US but also to hold those who violate US laws accountable for their actions. The department noted that the visa restriction policy is a global one, and that it also applies to individuals who otherwise qualify for the country's Visa Waiver Program. However, the statement did not name the people or agencies who will face action under this new move. The move comes amid a wider crackdown by US President Donald Trump's administration, which has used military aircraft to repatriate undocumented migrants. Six hundred and thirty-six Indians have been deported from the United States since January, when Donald Trump assumed office, the Union government told Parliament in March. Besides another 295 Indians were awaiting final deportation orders. A 2022 US Department of Homeland Security report estimated that 2,20,000 undocumented Indian migrants were living in the country.
India Today
19-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
US moves to block visas for Indian travel officials over immigration violations
The United States announced on Monday that it is imposing visa restrictions on owners, executives, and senior officials of certain Indian travel agencies accused of knowingly aiding "illegal immigration" to the a statement, the State Department said: "Mission India's Consular Affairs and Diplomatic Security Service work every day across our Embassy and Consulates to actively identify and target those engaged in facilitating illegal immigration and human smuggling and trafficking operations.'advertisementThe State Department said that it is 'taking steps today to impose visa restrictions on owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies based and operating in India for knowingly facilitating illegal immigration to the United States', it said. The statement added that the US will 'continue to take steps to impose visa restrictions against owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies to cut off alien smuggling networks'."Our immigration policy aims not only to inform foreign nationals about the dangers of illegal immigration to the United States but also to hold accountable individuals who violate our laws, including facilitators of illegal immigration,' the State Department emphasized that enforcing US immigration laws and policies is critical to upholding the rule of law and protecting said this visa restriction policy is global and even applies to individuals who otherwise qualify for the Visa Waiver Programme.A US embassy official in New Delhi declined to disclose details on travel agencies and individuals affected by visa restrictions. They stated that specific information could not be InMust Watch
India.com
19-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
US Imposes Visa Restrictions On Indian Travel Agents, Agencies Facilitating Illegal Migration
In a fresh crackdown to curb illegal migration from India to the United States, the Donald Trump administration is now taking action against travel agents and agencies facilitating illegal migration. This comes months after the United States deported hundreds of Indians who reached America illegally. "The Department of State is taking steps today to impose visa restrictions on owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies based and operating in India for knowingly facilitating illegal immigration to the United States. Mission India's Consular Affairs and Diplomatic Security Service work every day across our Embassy and Consulates to actively identify and target those engaged in facilitating illegal immigration and human smuggling and trafficking operations," it said. The US Department of State said that it will continue to take such actions in future as well. "We will continue to take steps to impose visa restrictions against owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies to cut off alien smuggling networks. Our immigration policy aims not only to inform foreign nationals about the dangers of illegal immigration to the United States but also to hold accountable individuals who violate our laws, including facilitators of illegal immigration," it said. The US State Department said that enforcing US immigration laws and policies is critical to upholding the rule of law and protecting Americans. "This visa restriction policy is global and even applies to individuals who otherwise qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. These actions are taken pursuant to section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act," it said. The United States embassy located in New Delhi has consistently used its social media platforms to advise Indian citizens traveling to the US against remaining in the country beyond their permitted duration of stay. These posts explicitly caution that overstaying will result in deportation and a lifetime prohibition from future entry into the United States.
New Indian Express
19-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
US announces new visa restrictions on Indian travel agencies allegedly facilitating illegal immigration
NEW DELHI: The United States has announced new visa restrictions targeting owners, executives, and senior officials of Indian travel agencies allegedly involved in facilitating illegal immigration to the country. In a statement released on Monday, the US State Department said it is taking decisive steps to disrupt networks engaged in "human smuggling" and illegal immigration. "Mission India's Consular Affairs and Diplomatic Security Service work every day across our Embassy and Consulates to actively identify and target those engaged in facilitating illegal immigration and human smuggling,' the statement said. The visa sanctions are aimed specifically at individuals in the travel industry who are believed to have knowingly assisted clients in entering the US unlawfully. These measures form part of Washington's broader strategy to crack down on international smuggling operations and hold accountable those who violate US immigration laws.
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First Post
19-05-2025
- Business
- First Post
US imposes visa curbs on Indian travel agencies for 'knowingly facilitating illegal immigration'
The US on Monday said that it would impose visa restrictions on owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies in India for knowingly facilitating 'illegal immigration' to the US read more The US on Monday said that it would impose visa restrictions on owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies in India for knowingly facilitating 'illegal immigration' to the United States. 'Mission India's Consular Affairs and Diplomatic Security Service work every day across our Embassy and Consulates to actively identify and target those engaged in facilitating illegal immigration and human smuggling and trafficking operations,' the State Department said in a statement. The Department of State is 'taking steps today to impose visa restrictions on owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies based and operating in India for knowingly facilitating illegal immigration to the United States', it said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The statement added that the US will 'continue to take steps to impose visa restrictions against owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies to cut off alien smuggling networks'. 'Our immigration policy aims not only to inform foreign nationals about the dangers of illegal immigration to the United States but also to hold accountable individuals who violate our laws, including facilitators of illegal immigration,' the State Department said. The State Department emphasised that enforcing US immigration laws and policies is essential to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety of American citizens. It added that the visa restriction policy is global in scope and applies even to individuals who would otherwise be eligible for the Visa Waiver Programme. When asked about the travel agencies and people against whom visa restrictions have been effected, a US embassy official in New Delhi said the details cannot be provided. 'We cannot provide a list of individuals or travel agencies the United States is taking steps to impose visa restrictions on due to visa record confidentiality,' PTI quoted the official as saying. With inputs from agencies
