A growing number of international students in the US—including Indians—are facing abrupt visa cancellations for their online engagement. Merely liking or sharing a social media post deemed problematic is now triggering deportation.
Legal experts highlight that this crackdown, part of an AI-driven initiative called “Catch and Revoke,” is led by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The campaign aims to strip visas from those suspected of supporting Hamas or other designated groups. In just three weeks, over 300 student visas have been annulled.
Students are receiving stark emails from the Bureau of Consular Affairs, stating their visas are revoked under Section 221(i) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act. The messages warn of fines, detention, and deportation—sometimes without time to gather belongings.
A March 25 directive now mandates social media scrutiny of visa holders. Officers must capture evidence of “derogatory” content or note a clean review. A recent policy shift also accelerates the accrual of unlawful presence, making overstaying riskier than before.
Rubio has defended the policy, asserting that student visas are for education, not activism. Legal advisors urge affected students to act swiftly to reinstate records or prepare for departure. Meanwhile, uncertainty looms over many, as even a single click could jeopardize their future.
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