Something suspicious has been happening in the United States as hundreds of international students have received an email from the US Department of State (DOS), which mentioned that the students have to self-deport themselves due to campus activism.
According to the reports, the email was not just received by the students who participated in the campus activities but also by those who received it and liked any ‘anti-national’ posts, according to the immigration attorney.
DOS, including the Consulate officials, conducted a social media review, which categorized the students. Therefore, every student who was included in the list, whether a new student applicant or any person applying for an academic study visa, exchange visa, or vocational study visa, got an email.
Reportedly, students who are under the social media scrutiny list will be denied admission to study in the United States. While highlighting the total number of international students studying in the US, the latest Open Doors reports highlighted that around 1.1 million students were studying in the US during the session 2023-2024, and out of the total, approximately 3.31 lakh were Indians.
The email sent to the international students read:
“On behalf of the United States Department of State, the Bureau of Consular Affairs Visa Office hereby informs you that additional information became available after your visa was issued. As a result, your F-1 visa with expiration date XXXXX was revoked in accordance with Section 221(i) of the United States Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended. The Bureau of Consular Affairs Visa Office has alerted the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which manages the Student Exchange Visitor Program and is responsible for removal proceedings.”
“They may notify your designated school official about the revocation of your F-1 visa. Remaining in the United States without a lawful immigration status can result in fines, detention, and/or deportation. It may also make you ineligible for a future US visa.”
“Please note that deportation can take place at a time that does not allow the person being deported to secure possessions or conclude affairs in the United States. Persons being deported may be sent to countries other than their countries of origin. Given the gravity of this situation, individuals whose visa was revoked may wish to demonstrate their intent to depart the United States using the CBP Home App. As soon as you depart the United States, you must personally present your passport to the US Embassy or consulate that issued your visa so your visa can be physically canceled. You must not attempt to use your visa as it has been revoked. If you intend to travel to the United States in the future, you must apply for another US visa, and your eligibility for a visa will be determined at that time."
While concluding the message, it was stated that “Students with a terminated SEVIS record must depart the US immediately; there is no grace period following a SEVIS termination. We advise you to depart the US as soon as possible.”