(Image source from: Livemint.com)
The US Embassy in India issued a serious alert on Wednesday for Indian students in America, warning them about the dangers of breaking laws, as it could lead to deportation. The US mission emphasized that having a US visa is a "privilege and not a right," adding that illegal actions during their stay might bring significant repercussions. "If you break US laws, it can lead to severe effects on your student visa. If you are arrested or break any laws, your visa could be taken away, you might get deported, and you might not be able to apply for US visas again. Stick to the rules and don't risk your travel. A US visa is a privilege, not a right," the US Embassy stated in a tweet. This warning comes after the Trump administration announced important changes to the student visa process months earlier, which included increased fees, required social media checks, and suggested limits on how long students can stay.
These updates are expected to have a direct effect on Indian students who want to study in America. The changes were mainly due to the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' that US President Donald Trump signed on July 4, 2025. The bill introduced a fee called the "Visa Integrity Fee" of 250 USD (Rs 21,463) and a required cost of 24 USD (Rs 2,060) for Form I-94, which is an important document for monitoring foreign travelers. Trump also signed a new rule that set a yearly fee of USD 100,000 for H-1B visa applications, which will heavily affect Indian citizens since they are the largest group of applicants. These fees must be paid by everyone applying for F (academic), M (vocational), and J (exchange) visas, the main categories for international study. Interestingly, the Open Doors Report 2025 showed a surprising change in international education trends even though stricter US visa rules were introduced.
Breaking U.S. laws can have serious consequences for your student visa. If you are arrested or violate any laws, your visa may be revoked, you may be deported, and you could be ineligible for future U.S. visas. Follow the rules and don’t jeopardize your travel. A U.S. visa is a… pic.twitter.com/A3qyoo6fuD
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) January 7, 2026
While the number of new international students at US colleges and universities dropped by 17 percent this fall, the count of Indian students grew by 10 percent for the 2024–25 academic year.
Consequently, India has solidified its status as the top source of international students in the US. Experts believe that this is due to the ongoing attraction of American colleges and the strong dedication of Indian students and their families to long-term academic and career goals. This increase happened despite facing hurdles like visa delays, stricter admission standards, and uncertainties in travel. Importantly, Indian families spent nearly USD 14 billion on education in the US last year, highlighting their ongoing commitment.
