Fears of Deportation Among Indian H-1B and Green Card Holders Amid U.S. Immigration Policy Changes

Indian H-1B and Green Card holders face deportation fears amid increased scrutiny from U.S. immigration authorities. High-profile cases of individuals like Badar Khan Suri and Ranjani Srinivasan exemplify the uncertainty and anxiety fueled by recent policy changes. Legal challenges are ongoing, with accusations related to national security leading to detentions and deportations.

Indian nationals holding H-1B visas and Green Cards have recently faced unexpected deportations and detention, triggering concerns about U.S. immigration policies under the Trump administration. Many Indian professionals in the U.S. feel increasingly anxious due to an apparent crackdown linked to security concerns, leading to more frequent questioning of Green Card holders.

Attorney Naresh Gehi from New York noted, “The administration is taking the law in their own hands with blatant disregard to the judiciary of the nation,” highlighting the severity of the situation.

One prominent case is that of Badar Khan Suri, a Georgetown University graduate student, who was detained by immigration agents outside his Virginia residence. The agents claimed Suri’s student visa had been revoked and initiated deportation proceedings citing a rarely invoked law that permits deporting noncitizens deemed threats to U.S. foreign policy due to his wife’s Palestinian heritage.

DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated that Suri faced accusations of “spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media.” Although a federal judge has temporarily blocked Suri’s deportation, the case remains under review.

Additionally, Ranjani Srinivasan, a Fulbright scholar at Columbia University, faced similar issues after her visa was revoked over her alleged involvement in pro-Palestinian protests. When ICE agents attempted to detain her, they misidentified themselves. When questioned, her roommate disclosed that they did not provide badge numbers and initially claimed to be “police.”

Srinivasan fled to Canada on the same night following the incident. Subsequently, DHS accused her of promoting “violence and terrorism” and commended her decision to leave the U.S. for not disclosing prior court summonses related to Columbia protests.

The recent deportations of Indian H-1B visa and Green Card holders raise serious concerns about immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. High-profile cases like those of Badar Khan Suri and Ranjani Srinivasan illustrate a broader trend of scrutiny and fear among Indian professionals in the U.S. Such actions reflect a significant shift in immigration policy associated with national security and have instigated public debate on the implications for foreign nationals residing in the country.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com