The American Immigration Lawyers’ Association (AILA) has raised alarms over the increasing number of student visa revocations and terminations in the United States, revealing that nearly 50% of the 327 reported cases involve students from India. The data, compiled from attorneys, students, and university personnel, also showed that 14% of those affected were from China, with other impacted nationalities including South Korea, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
In a statement cited by PTI, AILA emphasized the need for increased transparency and oversight in visa-related decisions. “There should be a way for students to appeal SEVIS terminations that are inaccurate, without facing gaps in employment or requiring university involvement, given the sheer number of students affected,” the association said, calling for more accountability in immigration enforcement.
This revelation comes amid growing controversy over the treatment of international students in the US. According to a Reuters report, numerous students have now turned to the courts to block immigration officials from deporting them following abrupt visa cancellations.
On a single day, judges in Massachusetts, Montana, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C., issued emergency injunctions against federal authorities, stopping them from taking action against students affected by what critics call arbitrary and unjustified revocations.
One such case is that of Krish Isserdasani, a 21-year-old Indian student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was arrested in November for disorderly conduct after a verbal altercation but was not charged. Nonetheless, in April, he was informed that his SEVIS record had been terminated. A federal judge in Wisconsin ruled that the termination of his student status was likely unlawful, offering him temporary protection.
Visa Crackdown Sparks Global Concerns
The wave of visa revocations appears to be a part of the lingering effects of immigration policies introduced during the Trump administration. Despite legal pushback, hundreds of students are facing abrupt deportations, SEVIS database terminations, and a lack of recourse to appeal.
Adding to the concern, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) recently confirmed that 682 Indian nationals have been deported from the US since January 2025, most for attempting to enter the country illegally.
These developments have sparked outrage and political concern in India, with opposition leaders questioning the Ministry of External Affairs and demanding a clearer response to the plight of Indian students abroad.
