Concerns about Deportation: Examining Students' Social Media

Indian students and their families, particularly those from the Telugu states, are becoming enamored with the idea of pursuing higher education in the United States. But a worrying pattern has emerged: many of these students are in danger of being deported because of problems with false documents and visa applications.

Some Indian students submit fabricated financial documents as part of their applications in an effort to get student visas for the United States. This sometimes entails submitting phony fixed deposit paperwork, occasionally with the help of middlemen who charge a fee for their services. These fraudulent actions are now being extensively examined by U.S. immigration officials, with serious repercussions for the students engaged.

It has been made more aware of by the recent incident involving Deepthi (name altered to protect her identity), who landed at Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson Airport with legitimate documentation, including her I-20 and university admission papers. Her ordeal, however, began when immigration agents searched her phone and discovered practice questions for a visa interview. This resulted in a lengthy questioning where she was asked about the price of immigration coaching and the name of the visa interview officer.

Deepthi was warned of her probable deportation despite having legitimate documents and no obvious crime. She was given the chance to get in touch with the Indian Embassy, but only after receiving a harsh warning that any lies could result in imprisonment. She was not given the chance to tell her parents what was happening, so the ordeal continued when she was put in a holding cell with another kid.

Deepthi's situation is not unique; according to reports, other Indian students were deported from the same airport on the same day after allegedly being threatened and intimidated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

Indian students who are deported from the United States face harsh punishments. In addition to a five-year U.S. visa prohibition, those who are deported also have their passports stamped with a deportation notice, which may make it more difficult for them to apply for visas to other nations in the future. This setback can have a long-term impact on their academic and professional goals.

To make matters worse, upon admission, American immigration authorities have begun looking into students' social media and email accounts. Students who publish offensive material or act in a similar manner risk being expelled. This emphasizes the necessity for students to use caution when establishing their online personas.

Students must maintain transparency and honesty throughout the application process in light of these difficulties, realizing the repercussions of engaging in dishonest behavior.