The Indian government has stepped in to support its students studying in the United States, following reports of widespread F-1 visa revocations. On Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) acknowledged the situation and stated that it is actively investigating the matter.

Speaking to the media, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “We are aware that several Indian students have received communications from the US government concerning their F-1 visa status. Our embassy and consulates are in touch with the affected students and are closely monitoring the situation.”

This comes at a time when visa-related concerns are escalating. Over 1,000 international students, including many from India, have reportedly had their visas revoked in recent weeks. This wave of revocations has led to growing anxiety among students, with some even turning to legal action. Multiple lawsuits have been filed against the US administration, alleging a lack of due process and sudden revocation of legal status without prior notice.

Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, also weighed in, revealing that since January this year, 55 Indian nationals have been deported from the US, returning to India via Panama. While not all were students, the trend has raised alarms about tightening immigration policies.

The controversy is linked to an ongoing crackdown on immigration, which began during the Trump administration and appears to continue under the current US policies. Recently, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that more than 300 visas had been revoked under his direction—most of them student visas.

According to the latest Open Doors Report, the US hosted approximately 1.1 million international students during the 2023–2024 academic year. In a landmark development, Indian students overtook their Chinese counterparts in terms of enrollment numbers by November 2024. However, despite this rise in student presence, visa approval rates for Indian applicants have recently seen a decline.

The Indian government’s proactive involvement offers a glimmer of hope for those students caught in uncertain legal limbo. With diplomatic channels open and consular support in place, affected students may receive the assistance they need as they navigate this stressful period.

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