Nearly half of all international students in the United States who experienced visa revocations or terminations of their SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) records in recent months were from India, according to a policy brief released by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). The report, dated April 17, highlights concerns over what it calls an “arbitrary” and “opaque” enforcement effort targeting international students.
Citing data collected from 327 individual reports, AILA found that 50% of the affected students were Indian nationals, followed by 14% from China. Other impacted countries included South Korea, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
According to the policy brief, the visa crackdowns appear to be part of a new initiative by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), dubbed “Catch and Revoke,” which reportedly uses AI tools to screen social media profiles of student visa holders. This has led to widespread revocations based on interactions with law enforcement—even in cases where students were never convicted or charged.
Indians made up the largest group of international students in the United States during the 2023-24 academic year, according to Open Doors data. Out of a total of 11,26,690 international students, 3,31,602 were from India — accounting for 29% of the total. China followed with 2.77 lakh students.
“Many of the affected students were on Optional Practical Training (OPT), having already graduated and employed in the US,” the brief said. These students are especially vulnerable, as they cannot immediately resume work after their SEVIS record is terminated, and re-instatement becomes more complex once a student has graduated.
ICE Has Terminated 4,736 SEVIS Records Since January
According to a verified source cited in the brief, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has terminated 4,736 SEVIS records since January 20, 2025, with most belonging to students on F-1 visas. Alarmingly, 57% of students received notice of visa revocation—primarily via email from the consulates—but 83% only learned about SEVIS termination through their universities, and 7% said they received no notification at all. The stated rationale for these actions was often inconsistent, and in some cases, students had no criminal record or history of police interaction.
The report also noted that 86% of students had some level of police interaction, but 33% of those were never charged, prosecuted, or were later dismissed. These include cases as minor as speeding tickets or misunderstandings during routine traffic stops.
Some students were even domestic violence survivors who had contacted the police for help but were penalised with visa issues due to the interaction.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has expressed concern over the rising number of Indian student visa cancellations in the U.S., urging the government to take action.
Sharing AILA’s note on X, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh wrote: “The press statement released by the American Immigration Lawyers Association yesterday is a matter of concern for India. Of the 327 student visa cancellations the organisation has gathered so far, 50% are Indian students. The reasons for the cancellations are inconsistent and unclear. This is causing growing fear and anxiety among students. Will External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar take note of this issue and raise it with his American counterpart?”
MEA Assures Support For Students Affected By US Visa Revocations
In response to queries about Indian students facing visa revocations in the U.S., Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated at a press briefing on Thursday: “We are aware that several Indian students have been contacted by the U.S. Government regarding their F-1 visa status. We are investigating the matter, and our embassy and consulate are in touch with the students to offer support.”
What Is SEVIS?
SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) is an online system used by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to track and monitor international students and exchange visitors in the United States. It helps maintain and manage data related to student visas, including F, J, and M visas. SEVIS ensures that international students and exchange visitors comply with U.S. immigration laws by tracking their academic progress, enrollment status, and visa details.
It is important for both students and educational institutions, as it helps in maintaining accurate records for visa issuance, extensions, and compliance with U.S. immigration regulations. News 18
