The United States has issued a strong warning to Indian and other foreign students, emphasizing that skipping classes or dropping out without properly notifying their educational institutions could lead to the cancellation of their student visas. This move comes amid heightened scrutiny of international students and recent reports of mass deportations.
Visa Compliance Under the Spotlight
The U.S. Embassy in India recently posted an advisory highlighting the risks associated with non-compliance to visa rules. According to the embassy, maintaining full-time enrollment and regularly attending classes is not optional but a legal requirement for those on F-1 student visas. Any deviation, such as discontinuing studies without school approval or prolonged absence, can result in immediate visa revocation (Times of India).
The embassy also noted that students who lose their visa status due to these violations may be barred from receiving future U.S. visas. This warning follows increased enforcement actions by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including deportations related to student visa violations (Economic Times).
OPT Students at Higher Risk
Students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) — a program allowing international graduates to work in the U.S. — face additional risks. The U.S. government mandates that OPT students must report employment details within 90 days of starting their authorization period. Failure to report employment status within the stipulated window may result in the loss of legal status in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), leading to automatic termination of their stay.
According to a report from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), over 300 international students recently lost their legal status due to such violations — and around 50% of them were Indian nationals (NDTV).
Legal Pushback and Student Support
The strict enforcement has triggered legal battles in the United States. In one significant case, a U.S. District Judge in California issued a nationwide injunction to prevent immediate termination of SEVIS records, arguing that the revocations lacked proper notification and due process. The judge criticized federal agencies for failing to offer clear guidelines to students, causing many to unknowingly fall out of status (AP News).
In the wake of these developments, several U.S. universities have stepped in to assist students. Institutions such as George Mason University and the University of California system have launched helplines and legal aid resources to support international students in distress (Reuters).
India Responds
The Indian government has acknowledged the growing number of affected students and stated it is engaging with U.S. authorities on the matter. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that it is in touch with Indian students whose visas have been revoked or who have received notices from U.S. immigration authorities (NDTV).
Final Advice
The U.S. advisory serves as a critical reminder to all international students to stay updated with visa rules. Students are urged to:
- Maintain full-time enrollment
- Attend all scheduled classes
- Report any changes in academic status
- Inform designated school officials (DSOs) immediately of any withdrawal
- OPT students must report employment within 90 days
Non-compliance can not only result in deportation but also affect long-term prospects for studying, working, or settling in the United States.
