Question : Deportation of Students

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether students, tourists and business persons, have been deported by the US recently;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether there are reports/complaints of students being ill-treated and harassed at immigration;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto;

(e) whether the Government has urged the US to honour the visas issued by their own embassies/consulates; and

(f) if so, the response received by the Government from the US authorities and other measures taken by the Government in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) & (b) In end 2015 - early 2016, there were several instances of denial of entry by the US Immigration authorities to Indian students, tourists and businessmen holding valid visas. According to the US Government, they had presented information to the Border Patrol agent which was inconsistent with their visa status.

(c) to (f) Government of India strongly took up the matter with the US Government and emphasized the need for the US authorities to honour the visas issued by their own Embassy/Consulates and to ensure that there is no harassment or injustice. Government is closely engaged with the US Government with the aim of ensuring that no bonafide students were denied entry. The Government also issued advisories for the students seeking admission in the US educational institutions to do due diligence to ensure that the institutions to which they were seeking admission had proper authorization and capacities. The students were also advised to carry all required documentation. Government was also in contact with the concerned State Governments on the issue.