US imposes visa restriction on Indian travel agents 'facilitating illegal immigration'

US VISA

The United States on Monday announced that it has imposed restrictions on owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies based and operating in India for knowingly facilitating illegal immigration to the United States.

The US Department of State said that Mission India’s Consular Affairs and Diplomatic Security Service across our Embassy and Consulates are actively identifying and targeting those engaged in facilitating illegal immigration and human smuggling and trafficking operations.

"We will continue to take steps to impose visa restrictions against owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies to cut off alien smuggling networks. Our immigration policy aims not only to inform foreign nationals about the dangers of illegal immigration to the United States but also to hold accountable individuals who violate our laws, including facilitators of illegal immigration," US Department of State Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement.

"Enforcing U.S. immigration laws and policies is critical to upholding the rule of law and protecting Americans. This visa restriction policy is global and even applies to individuals who otherwise qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. These actions are taken pursuant to section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act," she added.

Earlier, the US warned that overstaying in the country could lead to deportation and a permanent bar on visiting the country again.

The Trump administration has been tightening visa norms and warning action against anyone found violating the rules.

“If you remain in the United States beyond your authorised period of stay, you could be deported and could face a permanent ban on traveling to the United States in the future,” the US embassy in India posted on X.