The United States Embassy in India has issued a strong warning to Indian nationals, cautioning that attempts to migrate illegally to the United States or violations of US law could result in severe criminal penalties.
In a post shared on X on Tuesday, the embassy said the Donald Trump administration is firmly committed to ending illegal immigration and safeguarding US borders and citizens.
“If you break US law, you will be punished with significant criminal penalties,” the statement read.
The warning comes at a time of strained relations between Washington and New Delhi, following the US president’s decision to impose 50% tariffs on Indian goods and India’s unease over growing US engagement with Pakistan after the May conflict between the two South Asian rivals. Notably, similar public warnings have not been issued by US missions in countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria, Myanmar, or China.
Crackdown on immigration and visas
Since returning to the office in January, President Trump has intensified a crackdown on illegal immigration, introducing tougher policies and carrying out large-scale deportations throughout 2025. In February, a US military aircraft deported 104 Indian nationals to Amritsar, marking the first time the US used a military plane for such deportations.
The administration has also tightened legal immigration pathways. In September, Trump announced a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications, a move that could significantly affect Indian professionals working as engineers, programmers, and scientists in the US.
Concerns raised by India
India’s Ministry of External Affairs warned that the steep H-1B fee could have humanitarian implications, particularly for families. Meanwhile, IT industry body Nasscom expressed concern over the timeline and potential disruption for skilled workers seeking US employment.
According to a senior US State Department official, around 80,000 non-immigrant visas have been revoked since January 20 for offenses including driving under the influence, assault, and theft, together accounting for nearly half of all revocations this year. In August alone, more than 6,000 student visas were cancelled for overstaying or violating US laws, including a small number for alleged links to terrorism.
The embassy’s message reflects a broader US strategy to curb illegal immigration while simultaneously tightening visa rules, particularly for skilled workers from India.
