New Delhi’s Indian student community in the US is on high alert following a stark warning from the US Embassy in India. Posted on social media platform X, the advisory underscores the severe repercussions of violating American laws while on a student visa.
The embassy’s message is unambiguous: breaching US laws can lead to arrest, visa cancellation, deportation, and permanent ineligibility for future US visas. ‘A US visa is a privilege, not a right,’ it declares, urging students to strictly adhere to regulations to safeguard their academic pursuits.
This caution arrives amid tightened immigration policies under President Donald Trump, who in 2025 overhauled visa and migrant rules to prioritize national security. Reports indicate that around 6,000 international students, including several Indians, had their visas revoked last year. With nearly 300,000 foreign students studying in the US, the stakes are undeniably high.
The embassy has ramped up such advisories recently. Earlier posts highlighted the perils of illegal migration, noting how undocumented migrants become prey to violent cartels, human traffickers, and corrupt officials. ‘Only smugglers profit from illegal crossings,’ one statement warned.
On December 30, 2025, another alert emphasized harsh criminal penalties for lawbreakers. The Trump administration remains steadfast in curbing illegal immigration to protect US borders and citizens.
Interestingly, in a recent Truth Social post, President Trump shared data ranking countries by welfare dependency among immigrants. India notably absent from the list, signaling the strong economic profile of Indian migrants who rarely rely on government aid.
The rankings, compiled from two datasets, show Bhutan topping at 81.4% welfare participation, followed by Yemen (75.2%), Somalia (71.9%), and Marshall Islands (71.4%). Lower down, Ivory Coast leads at 49.1%, with Liberia and Algeria close behind.
For Indian students dreaming of US education, this is a wake-up call. Compliance isn’t optional—it’s essential to turning ambitions into reality without derailing futures.