US cites immigration assessment, India tell it to honour visas

New Delhi, December 30

The US has conveyed that the decision to deny entry to Indian students was not because of black-listing of two California-based institutions but based on the immigration assessment of individuals even as India asserted that American authorities need to honour visas issued by them.

The Indian reaction came after more Indians travelling on business/tourism/work visas have been deported recently.

In a fresh advisory today, External Affairs Ministry here said according to the US Government, the deported persons had presented information to the border patrol agent which was inconsistent with their visa status.

In continuation of December 23 advisory in connection with denial of entry by the US to Indian students having valid student visas to pursue studies in educational institutions -Silicon Valley University at San Jose and Northwestern Polytechnic University, Fremont, the ministry noted that there have been more cases of deportation of Indians.

Subsequently, there have been further cases of denial of entry to Indian students holding valid visas to pursue studies in other US educational institutions, it said, adding some Indian nationals travelling on business/tourism/work visas have also been deported.

"The US Government has conveyed that the decision to deny entry to these students is not because of the corresponding institutions being 'black-listed' but based on the assessment made by the US immigration authorities of individual applicants.

"According to the US Government, the deported persons had presented information to the border patrol agent which was inconsistent with their visa status," the ministry said while noting that India continues to remain closely engaged with the US Government on this subject.

"We have strongly emphasised the need for the US authorities to honour the visas issued by their own Embassy/Consulates," it added.

Meanwhile, the ministry reiterated that all Indian students seeking admission in US educational institutions should do due diligence to ensure that the institutions to which they are seeking admission have proper authorisation and capacities.

Apart from travel documents, the students should also carry all required documentation regarding their study plans, housing, financial support, health care arrangements etc. and be prepared for admission (entry to the US) interviews with US immigration officials, it said.

Similarly, all Indian nationals travelling to the US on other visas are also advised to carry the necessary supporting documentations regarding place of stay, financial support, medical arrangements, sponsorship details etc, the advisory added. — PTI