In a deeply regarding improvement for Indian college students in the US, dozens have had their F-1 scholar visas abruptly revoked and have been ordered to self-deport instantly attributable to minor felony infractions.

This sudden crackdown has sparked panic throughout a number of college campuses in Missouri, Texas, and Nebraska, the place the affected college students have been enrolled.

In keeping with studies, the visa revocations stem from minor offences reminiscent of visitors violations, over-speeding, shoplifting, and alcohol-related fees—a lot of which have been beforehand resolved by authorized channels.

Regardless of the comparatively minor nature of those infractions, US immigration authorities have begun issuing visa termination notices, citing SEVIS (Pupil and Alternate Customer Data System) file closures.

College students have been notified by way of emails from their Designated Faculty Officers (DSOs), stating: “In case your visa has been revoked, which means that the F-1 visa in your passport is now not legitimate. In case you are within the US, you might have to make plans for speedy departure.”

These sudden revocations have left many college students in shock, going through the grim actuality of deportation and the invalidation of their authorized keep, Type I-20, and Employment Authorization Paperwork (EAD).

This transfer comes shortly after a earlier wave of deportation orders issued in March 2025, linked to alleged campus activism. Whereas these actions sparked controversy, the newest crackdown for comparatively minor offences is being broadly criticised as disproportionate.

Immigration legal professionals and scholar advisors are overwhelmed. Texas-based lawyer Chand Paravathneni, at the moment representing round 30 affected Indian college students, expressed concern: “We’ve not often seen SEVIS being revoked for petty offences like operating a pink gentle or driving with no licensed grownup within the automotive.”

Among the many impacted college students is a Hyderabad native at the moment learning in Omaha, who revealed he was fined two years in the past for dashing in New York however was by no means arrested.

One other scholar admitted to a DUI (driving beneath the affect) cost, saying he had adopted all courtroom mandates, together with putting in a automotive ignition lock and present process sobriety checks.

In a extra extreme case, a Texas-based scholar was arrested for shoplifting $144 price of things from Walmart. Nevertheless, the case was dismissed attributable to his clear educational file and cooperation. “I adopted all authorized directions and thought the matter was behind me. Why am I being punished once more?” he requested.

Specialists warn that even minor offences are taken severely beneath US immigration regulation, and violations—even previous ones—can set off harsh penalties. Ravi Lothumalla, head of US Admissions consultancy, famous: “That is unprecedented. College students should search authorized assist instantly. Some circumstances may nonetheless be reversed if challenged correctly.”

The incident has sparked widespread nervousness within the Indian scholar group within the US, highlighting the delicate nature of immigration standing and the significance of authorized consciousness.

Many are actually apprehensive {that a} single missed misstep—even one resolved way back—may derail their schooling and future prospects.

Because the crackdown unfolds, calls are rising for diplomatic intervention and clearer tips for college kids navigating advanced authorized methods overseas.