'US visa a privilege; break the rules and risk deportation', Embassy warns

The United States Embassy in India warned US visa seekers to adhere to its rules, else they could face stern action, including deportation.

In a statement on X on Wednesday, the Embassy warned applicants not to jeopardize their travel to the US by violating US regulations. "Breaking US laws can have serious consequences for your student visa," the US Embassy stressed.

"If you are arrested or violate any laws, your visa may be revoked, you may be deported, and you could be ineligible for future US visas. Follow the rules and don’t jeopardize your travel. A US visa is a privilege, not a right," it added.

The US government has tightened visa regulations ever since Donald Trump became president. Trump had vowed massive crackdown against illegal immigration during his second stint as president. 

Recently, US announced in-depth scrutiny of social media profiles of US visa seekers. The US State Department said in a statement, "The Department will expand the requirement that an online presence review be conducted for all H-1B applicants and their dependents, in addition to the students and exchange visitors already subject to this review. To facilitate this vetting, all applicants for H-1B and their dependents (H-4), F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas are instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to 'public'.”

"Every visa adjudication is a national security decision. The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests, and that all applicants credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission. A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right," it said.