Lok Sabha Question No. 1067 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-25
Subject: Impact of  U.S. Restrictions on Indian Students
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Asaduddin Owaisi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1067

## ANSWERED ON - 25/07/2025

## IMPACT OF U.S. RESTRICTIONS ON INDIAN STUDENTS

## 1067. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)the number of Indian students currently pursuing education in the United States;
- (b)the number of Indian students who have left for the United States
- on student visas during last five years;
- (c)whether   the   Government   is   aware   of   the   recent   restrictions imposed   by   U.S.   authorities   on   issuing   student   visas   and restrictions on institutes like Harvard to take in foreign students;
- (d)if   so,   the   impact   of   such   restrictions   on   Indian   students, particularly   who   are   already   enrolled   or   planning   to   travel   for
- higher education;
- (e)whether the Government is engaging in any diplomatic dialogue with the United States to address the concerns of affected Indian students; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken to safeguard the interests of Indian students planning to study in the U.S. ?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a to f) As per the June 2025 SEVIS Mapping Pool Data brought out by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, a total number of 372,424 Indian nationals   are   pursuing   various   educational   programs   (primary, secondary, other vocational, high school, language training, flight school, associate, bachelors, masters, doctorate, and others) of different time durations in the United States of America.

As per data brought out by the U.S. Department of State, the number of student visas issued by the U.S. Embassy and its Consulates in India to Indian nationals for educational purposes over each of  the past five years is as follows:

| 2019-20   | 2020-21   | 2021-22   | 2022-23   | 2023-24   |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| 20,628    | 85,385    | 126,431   | 143,811   | 99,169    |

In April 2025, a number of  international students in the U.S.  where confronted   with   a   situation   wherein   their   SEVIS   or Student   and Exchange Visitor Information System records were terminated followed by an email informing them that their student visa has been revoked, putting them at risk of deportation proceedings.

The Indian Embassy and the Indian Consulates in the U.S. received a number of representations from Indian students in the U.S. regarding revocation   of   their   student   visas   and/or   termination   of   their   SEVIS records. For some students, the notification of the loss of their legal status was accompanied with the suggestion that they self-deport. Some students used the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Home App to voluntarily notify the U.S. government and self-deport, so that they may still have the opportunity to return legally to the U.S. in the future.

Several international students challenged the revocation of their student visas and termination of their SEVIS records and filed lawsuits against the U.S. government, alleging that they were denied due process and that the terminations were unlawful. However, in early May 2025, in a significant policy reversal, the U.S. government reinstated thousands of visas for international students and recent graduates whose legal status

had   been   abruptly   revoked. The   reinstatement   of   visas   did   offer temporary relief to several affected students.

The U.S. administration has since signalled plans to introduce a new policy framework for visa terminations, potentially expanding revocation grounds to include participation in political protests or actions perceived as hostile to the administration. Amid ongoing legal battles and shifting policies, the uncertainty continues to affect the international student community and may have lasting impacts on those considering studying in the U.S.

The US Embassy in New Delhi in an advisory of June 2025 conveyed that grant of a student visa does not guarantee the continued stay of the student in the United States. They confirmed that the visa monitoring continues post-approval and rule breaking can lead to revocation of visa and deportation. Skipping classes or leaving the course without notifying the   School/University;   minor   infractions   such   as   driving   without   a licence, DUI or driving under intoxication incidents, or getting a ticket for   speeding   or   parking   violation;   engaging   in   political   activism   or protests; or overstaying beyond the student visa validity can result in

termination of the relevant student visa and future U.S. visas could also be denied.

On 18 June 2025, U.S. Department of State issued a Press Release titled, 'Announcement of Expanded Screening and Vetting for Visa Applicants.' The   said   press   release   mentions   that   the   U.S.   uses   all   available information in its visa screening and vetting process to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible to the United States, including those who pose a threat to U.S. national security. Under the new guidance, the U.S. would conduct a comprehensive and thorough vetting, including online presence of all student and exchange visitor applicants in the F, M, and J non-immigrant classifications. To facilitate this vetting, the U.S. has required all applicants to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to 'public.' The new U.S. guidance mentions that every visa adjudication is a national security decision, and calls on all applicants   to   credibly   establish   their   eligibility   for   the   visa   sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission.

It   may   be   noted   that   issuance   of   visa   and   the   related   policy   and processes   are   the   sovereign   prerogative   of   the   concerned   state.

However, the Government of India has been regularly raising all issues being confronted by Indian students with the U.S. authorities at various levels. The Ministry of External Affairs continues to remain engaged with the relevant U.S. authorities to promote mutually advantageous and secure mobility frameworks that allow for streamlining avenues for legal mobility of students and professionals, and facilitating short-term tourist and business travel, while addressing illegal immigration and human trafficking   by   taking   strong   action   against   the   bad   actors,   criminal facilitators, and illegal immigration networks.

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