The recent visa crackdown — widely seen as part of former President Trump’s immigration agenda — is causing deep concern among Indian students aspiring to study and work in the United States.
One Indian student on a STEM OPT, recently approved for an H-1B visa, told the media that he was arrested while assisting an injured friend who was unable to drive.
He was later charged with driving under the influence in January, but emphasized that he was never convicted. After two years of job hunting, he finally received an offer — only to lose it after his visa was revoked.
“I took out a massive loan to study in the US, which I still have to repay,” he said. “I worked hard for four years and was finally at the point of settling down. If I lose everything over a mistake, what’s the point? What am I supposed to tell my aging parents back home?”
The aggressive pace and broad scope of the federal government's move to terminate the legal status of international students have stunned colleges and universities across the country.
“For the last two weeks, we’ve been working non-stop to support affected students,” said Ravi Lothumalla, a U.S.-based education consultant who has been advising Indian students facing visa issues and helping them connect with legal counsel.
Chand Parvathaneni, a Texas-based immigration attorney, said his firm has already advised nearly 40 students on visa revocations.
“Most of these cases involve minor violations,” he explained, adding that many of the charges don’t justify deportation or even suggest guilt. “What’s troubling is that the government hasn’t allowed the students to respond. Now, many of them are having to seek relief through the courts.”
Most Indian students in the US rely on substantial education loans. Along with mounting legal costs, they’re also facing immense emotional and mental stress, Parvathaneni added.
The shift in political tone and the harsh scrutiny under Trump’s administration have led many Indian students to view the U.S. with growing skepticism as a study destination.
