Lok Sabha Question No. 137 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-02-24
Subject: Deportation of Indians
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: V. SATHYABAMA, MALLIKARJUN  KHARGE, VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI, KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY, NITYANAND RAI, GEETHA KOTHAPALLI, S.SELVAKUMARA CHINNAYAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.137 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.02.2016

## DEPORTATION OF INDIANS

137. SHRIMATI V. SATHYA BAMA:

SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE:

SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR:

SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY KOTHA:

SHRI NITYANAND RAI:

SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA:

SHRI S. SELVAKUMARA CHINNAYAN:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether a number of Indian students, tourists, etc. with valid visas  who  arrived  in  the  US  were  deported  from  the  airport itself;
- (b) if so, the facts and details thereof;
- (c) whether the said issue was taken up with the US authorities and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether there has also been a steep increase in the visa fees for  H1B  and  L1  visas  recently  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof; and
- (e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken to protect the interests of these Indians particularly students?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) to (e) Recently, there were several instances of denial of entry by  the  US  Immigration  authorities  to  Indian  nationals,  particularly students,  holding  valid  visas.  According  to  the  US  Government, these persons had presented information to the border patrol agent which was inconsistent with their visa status.

MEA  issued two advisories on December  23, 2015 and December  30,  2015  in  this  regard.  Through  these  advisories,  the Government  advised  the  students  seeking  admission  in  the  US educational  institutions  to  do  due  diligence  to  ensure  that  the institutions  to  which  they  were  seeking  admission  had  proper authorization  and  capacities.  The  students  were  also  advised  to carry all  required  documentation. Government of India was also in contact with the concerned State Governments on the issue.

Government of India strongly took up the matter with the US Government. Government emphasized the need for the US authorities to honour the visas issued by their own Embassy/Consulates. Government has closely engaged with the US Government with the aim of ensuring that no bonafide students or other travellers were denied entry.

Separately, on December 18, 2015, the US Government signed into law the 2016 Omnibus Spending Bill which included doubling of the  H-1B  and  L-1  visa  fees  for  50:  50  companies  (companies employing  50  or  more  employees  in  the  United  States  and  50 percent  of  which  are  on  non-immigrant  visas  i.e.,  H-1B  and  L-1 visas).  With  this  legislation  in  place,  these  companies  would  now need to pay an enhanced fee of $4,500 for each L-1 visa and $4000 for each H-1B visa, as compared to $2,250 and $2000, respectively paid earlier (till end September 2015). The increase in visa fee would be for a period of 10 years and would also apply to visa extensions.

Government of India has raised its concerns strongly with the US interlocutors at various levels regarding the doubling of the L-1 and H-1B visa fees for 50: 50 companies. Prime Minister also raised this issue with the US President Barack Obama. Government of India has conveyed to the US Government that this provision is discriminatory as it basically targets Indian IT companies.

*****