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Matter of concern for Indian students and professionals
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The developments have attracted close attention from students, professionals and policymakers alike, given the deep educational and economic ties between India and the US
The United States has revoked more than 100,000 visas in 2025 as part of an intensified immigration enforcement drive, triggering concern among international travellers, students and skilled workers worldwide. According to reports citing Fox News and official updates from the US State Department, the action forms part of a broader effort to strengthen domestic security through stricter monitoring of foreign nationals.
Official figures indicate that the revocations include around 8,000 student visas and nearly 2,500 specialised work permits, alongside thousands of tourist and other non-immigrant visas. The move signals a sharp escalation in scrutiny under the Trump administration, with authorities emphasising tougher post-entry enforcement rather than limiting checks to the visa application stage alone.
The State Department has clarified that the cancellations are linked to ongoing deportation and enforcement operations targeting individuals found to have criminal records or violations of US law. Under the revised framework, visa holders are now subject to continuous monitoring throughout their stay in the country. Any arrest, conviction or legal complication emerging after entry could lead to immediate visa revocation and removal from the United States.
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This sweeping crackdown spans multiple visa categories and has wide-ranging implications for countries with large numbers of US visa holders
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Indians, who form one of the largest foreign national groups travelling to, studying in and working in the US, are among those most directly affected
India currently accounts for the highest number of international students in American universities, overtaking China in recent years. However, this positive trend has come under pressure in 2025, with a notable decline in new student visas issued to Indian applicants. Government migration reports attribute this slowdown to tighter review procedures, longer interview waiting periods and heightened background checks.
Indian professionals on employment-based visas are also facing growing uncertainty. H-1B visa holders, particularly in technology, healthcare and other skilled sectors, have been impacted by rising costs and policy shifts. A controversial proposal introduced recently — imposing an additional fee of up to $100,000 on new H-1B visas — has drawn widespread attention and is currently being challenged in US courts.
The combined effect of stricter enforcement, increased financial burdens and extended processing timelines has raised anxiety among Indian workers who play a critical role in the US workforce. For many, employment visas also represent long-term career stability and economic opportunity.
While the United States remains a preferred destination for Indian talent, the surge in visa revocations highlights the increasingly complex and evolving nature of US immigration policy.
