Indian Students Face Visa Uncertainty and Deportation Under Trump Administration Crackdown
The United States has long welcomed Indian students to its universities, with over 300,000 enrolled in American institutions. But under the Trump administration, a wave of visa revocations, increased surveillance, and deportation orders has left many in legal limbo—and fearing for their future.
A recent graduate from Lindsey Wilson College in Kentucky, now working as an engineer in Atlanta, lost his visa over a minor traffic violation from 2023. Despite completing his degree legally and participating in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, he was informed two years later that his visa had been revoked. 
“I came here legally and made one small mistake, but I am not a criminal,” said the 28-year-old, originally from Hyderabad.
His story is just one of many. Immigration lawyers report hundreds of similar cases, often involving Indian nationals. Some have been targeted for minor legal infractions, others for participating in pro-Palestinian protests, which the administration claims equates to supporting terrorism.
Fear Spreads Across Indian Student Communities
The American Immigration Lawyers Association tracked 327 visa revocation cases, half involving Indians. Groups like those organized by Ravi Lothumalla, an educational consultant in Dallas, now serve as lifelines for legal support among Indian students.
“The message from the government was, ‘We don’t want your best and brightest,’” said immigration attorney Charles Kuck, who represents more than 130 international students.
The situation intensified with the arrest of Georgetown postdoc Badar Khan Suri and the visa cancellation of Columbia grad student Ranjani Srinivasan, both linked to their pro-Palestinian social media activity.
Institutional Silence and Global Fallout
Universities have offered little protection. One Ivy League graduate student said she and others are now considering completing degrees abroad or seeking work in Canada or Europe. She recalled the 2023 SEVIS terminations that blindsided three classmates.
“We used to think of America as a place where we could build a career,” said another Indian student in New York. “That doesn’t seem to be the case anymore.”
Some fear they may not be allowed to re-enter the U.S. if they leave. One student canceled a trip to India out of concern and is building academic ties in South Africa and Canada instead.
“There’s no desire on my part to continue an intellectual relationship with this country after I leave,” he said.
Legal Limbo and Government Inaction
Even those who have lived and worked in the U.S. for years are affected. One engineer from Hyderabad, employed by Google and Cognizant, had his visa revoked after a DUI arrest. He was told to “self-deport” but must stay to face court proceedings.
“No one knows what to do,” he said. “I can’t stay. I can’t leave.”
Despite the rising number of impacted students, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has made no formal protest. Many students ask: “Why hasn’t my country responded?”
Long-Term Damage to U.S.-India Relations
Former National Security Council director Anthony Renzulli warned that the crackdown risks damaging the U.S.-India relationship at its core: education and cultural exchange.
“It cuts into the very foundation of the U.S.-India partnership — the people-to-people ties,” he said.
In January, U.S. student visa issuances to Indian nationals dropped by 50% compared to the previous year. The $43.8 billion contribution of international students to the U.S. economy is now at risk.
“Even if one saw problems in America, there was always faith in the legal system,” said a student from the Northeast. “That is now gone.”Indian Students Face Visa Uncertainty and Deportation Under Trump Administration Crackdown
