US Embassy’s Visa Crackdown: Justice or discrimination

DDM News

The United States Embassy in India has canceled over 2,000 visa appointments.

Diaspora digital media (DDM) gathered that this decision was made due to fraud-related activities detected in the appointment system.

The embassy identified major violations committed by “bad actors” using bots.

Officials stated that these fraudulent accounts manipulated the scheduling system.

As a result, the embassy suspended all accounts involved in the violations.

They also revoked the visa appointments linked to these accounts.

“Consular Team India is canceling about 2,000 visa appointments made by bots,” the embassy announced.

The embassy emphasized a zero-tolerance policy toward agents and fixers.

They warned that individuals violating scheduling policies would face severe consequences.

Crackdown on Fraud or Unfair Targeting?

The crackdown aims to restore fairness in the visa application process.

Many legitimate travelers have struggled to secure visa appointments.

Fraudulent agents have exploited the system for financial gain.

By canceling these appointments, the US hopes to ensure transparency.

However, some believe this action unfairly penalizes genuine applicants.

Authorities claim they are taking strict measures to prevent future violations.

Visa Delays and Never-Ending Waiting Periods

US visa processing has faced increasing delays in recent years.

B1 and B2 visa applicants have experienced unprecedented waiting times.

Between 2022 and 2023, applicants waited 800 to 1,000 days.

Due to these delays, the US introduced alternative appointment slots.

Indian applicants could schedule interviews in Frankfurt and Bangkok.

Despite these efforts, long waiting periods continue to frustrate travelers.

Diplomatic Tensions Over Visa Backlogs

India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, raised concerns in 2022.

He discussed visa delays with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Blinken attributed the backlog to disruptions caused by Covid-19.

Jaishankar brought up the issue again in early 2024.

“If it takes 400-odd days to get a visa, the relationship is not well served,” he stated.

He expressed these concerns after meeting US Senator Marco Rubio.

Student Visa Rejections: A Growing Crisis?

Student visa denials have also increased dramatically.

In fiscal year 2023-24, the US received 679,000 F-1 student visa applications.

Officials rejected 279,000 applications, marking a 41 percent rejection rate.

This was a significant jump from the previous year’s 36 percent.

In 2014, only 15 percent of student visas were rejected.

Over the past decade, the rejection rate has nearly tripled.

Are Indian Students Being Unfairly Targeted?

Country-specific rejection rates are not officially disclosed.

Reports suggest that Indian students faced a 38 percent drop in visa approvals.

This decline occurred in the first nine months of 2024.

The reduction has impacted universities relying on international students.

Education institutions fear declining enrollment from Indian applicants.

Many believe Indian students are being unfairly scrutinized.

The US Visa System Under Fire

Applicants continue to struggle with long delays and rising rejections.

The crackdown on fraudulent appointments is a necessary step.

However, many argue that deeper reforms are needed.

For now, thousands of travelers remain uncertain about their visa status.

Some wonder if the system is truly about security or selective exclusion.

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