'Permanent travel ban to US if...': US Embassy in India issues stern deportation warning

Even legal immigrants now face risk of deportation, visa revocation.

Carrying forward its immigration crackdown, the United States on Saturday issued a stark warning to both undocumented and legal immigrants, urging them to follow all visa regulations and American laws, or face deportation and permanent travel bans.

The U.S. Embassy in India posted a direct message on X (formerly Twitter), cautioning travellers, “If you remain in the United States beyond your authorized period of stay, you could be deported and could face a permanent ban on traveling to the United States in the future.”

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) had earlier issued a strong statement that expands the scope of deportation to even those holding valid visas or green cards. “Coming to America and receiving a visa or green card is a privilege. Our laws and values must be respected,” USCIS said in a post dated April 30.

The statement comes as the Trump administration continues to tighten enforcement measures amid falling approval ratings and recent budget cuts. The toughened approach is backed by an internal memo from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to NBC News. The memo reportedly allows for immediate visa termination, without prior notice or legal recourse, in cases where the visa is revoked.

The Trump administration has been tightening immigration rules, with new sets of advisories and orders every week. Just months ago, it revoked visas of at least 300 international students for their alleged involvement in "campus activism" and "engagement with anti-national content". All visa holders, be it the H-1B visa, the F-1 visa, and even those who have green cards, have been warned that the Trump administration is committed to taking the necessary steps to stop these activities, especially in relation to "anti-semitisim".

The embassy warning and USCIS statement signal a deepening focus on immigration enforcement under Trump’s second term, targeting not just illegal entry but visa compliance, behavior, and intent—even among legal residents.