Senior leader Jairam Ramesh flags alarming visa revocations; urges Indian government to act
Amid intensified scrutiny of international students during the Trump administration, over 1,000 student visas were reportedly revoked, with Indians constituting a significant portion of those affected, reported gujaratsamachar.com.
According to a press release shared by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) compiled reports from attorneys, students, and university staff, documenting 327 cases of visa revocation and SEVIS terminations.
Ramesh revealed on social media platform X that 50% of those impacted were Indian nationals, with the rest comprising 14% from China, followed by students from South Korea, Nepal, and Bangladesh. He described the situation as creating “growing fear and apprehension” among Indian students.
Out of 327 documented visa revocation cases, 50% were Indian students, raising fears of discrimination and arbitrary action
The data indicates that half of the affected students were on Optional Practical Training (OPT) — a program that allows international graduates to work in the U.S. Their visa status was terminated without a clear path to reinstatement, making it nearly impossible for them to resume employment or legal stay.
Ramesh questioned the silence of India’s Ministry of External Affairs, urging Minister S. Jaishankar to raise the issue with his U.S. counterpart.
“There is no mechanism to reinstate status for those already graduated and working, unlike students who are still enrolled,” the statement noted, highlighting the vulnerability of OPT participants.
The move has sparked fresh concern among Indian families and education stakeholders, especially given the scale of Indian student migration to the United States.
