Rs 89 lakh scholarship, but no visa: Did Kaushik Raj’s social media posts cost him his US dream?

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For years, studying in the United States has been the ultimate academic dream for Indian students. But that dream is rapidly turning into a nightmare for many. Despite stellar grades, scholarships worth lakhs, and acceptance letters from prestigious universities, a growing number of Indian students are being denied US student visas. The reasons often go beyond academics or finances; many now suspect their social media activity is being used to judge their eligibility. Recent cases suggest that a climate of online surveillance and political sensitivity is quietly shaping who gets to enter America’s classrooms.

The journalist who couldn’t go to Columbia

For 27-year-old journalist Kaushik Raj, admission to Columbia University’s master’s program in data journalism should have marked the beginning of a new chapter. Instead, it ended with a visa rejection.

Raj told The Washington Post that his rejection letter from the US Consulate stated he had failed to demonstrate “sufficient ties to India.” The letter read: “You were not able to demonstrate that your intended activities in the United States would be consistent with the classification of the non-immigrant visa for which you applied.”

It further added: “You have not demonstrated that you have the ties that will compel you to return to your home country after your travel to the United States.”

Raj dismissed this explanation as a pretext. He believes the real reason was social media vetting, a process introduced under the Trump administration to tighten scrutiny. “I wasn’t very active online,” he said. “I never posted personal opinions on global issues like Gaza. But I did share my reporting: stories on hate crimes and India’s treatment of Muslims.”

He described the timeline of his ordeal: “The (visa) interview took place on July 29 and they handed me a slip to make my social media public. On August 4, the application status showed that my application was refused. But on August 11, it changed to administrative processing and then back to ‘refused’ on August 14,” Raj explained to Hindustan Times.

The rejection cannot be appealed. Raj was told to reapply and prove “a change in circumstances.” For now, he has shifted focus: “I will apply to the UK now. I still want to study journalism,” he said. “Just not in a country that punishes you for doing it.”

Scholarships, good grades — still not enough

Raj’s experience mirrors that of several others who have found their dreams derailed despite exceptional academic credentials.

Among them is Darsh Vatsa, an 18-year-old who won a near-full scholarship to Trinity College in Connecticut. He had cleared all formalities but was rejected just before departure. “My embassy interview was scheduled for July 10, but on August 19, the day I planned to fly, I received a rejection letter citing a failure to demonstrate ties to India,” he told reporters.

Vatsa had been outspoken on social media, critical of both the Indian government and Israel’s actions in Gaza. To improve his chances, he deleted posts and “mass-unliked” old content. “However, the worst did happen,” he said.

A 26-year-old PhD student at Louisiana State University, who spoke anonymously to avoid repercussions, said she too had stopped posting online. “Anything can be considered grounds for getting deported or your visa getting cancelled,” she said.

A wave of rejections and a sharp drop in arrivals

The US has seen a noticeable drop in Indian student arrivals. According to the International Trade Administration, the number of Indian students entering the country fell by 50 per cent in August 2025, contributing to an overall 19 per cent year-on-year decline.

The slide comes amid what experts describe as tougher immigration screening and political sensitivity around dissent. Thousands of student visas have reportedly been revoked by Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s office, citing reasons ranging from participation in protests to online criticism of Israel.

In June, the State Department temporarily paused student visa processing to strengthen social media checks. Officers were told to flag “any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States.”

White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly defended the measures, saying they ensure “guests” do not pose national security risks or attempt to undermine American values.

Fear and frustration among Indian students

The result has been a deep sense of anxiety among Indian aspirants. Many now fear that even the most routine expression of opinion online could sabotage years of effort.

As Raj put it, the experience has left him disillusioned: “I still want to study journalism,” he said. “Just not in a country that punishes you for doing it.”

Vatsa echoed similar frustration: “It’s heartbreaking. You work so hard to earn a chance, and then lose it because of what you once liked or shared online.”