US warns Indians of severe criminal penalties for illegal migration

US Embassy – (Special Correspondent / Web Desk) – The US Embassy in India on Tuesday issued a strong warning to Indian citizens, cautioning that illegal entry into the United States could lead to serious criminal punishment under American law.

Ties between Washington and New Delhi have faced growing strain this year, largely due to US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose steep 50 per cent tariffs on Indian exports, along with India’s unease over America’s outreach to Pakistan following the May confrontation between the two South Asian neighbors.

In a statement shared on X, the embassy stressed that violations of US laws would not be tolerated, saying the Trump administration remains firmly focused on curbing illegal immigration and safeguarding the country’s borders and citizens.

If you break U.S. law, you will be punished with significant criminal penalties. The Trump Administration is committed to ending illegal immigration to the United States and protecting our nation’s borders and our citizens. pic.twitter.com/bjKzUozpOh

— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) December 30, 2025

Neither the US State Department nor US missions in Pakistan or other nations, including Afghanistan, Syria, Myanmar or China, have issued similar warnings.

• US Embassy in India warns of strict criminal penalties for illegal migration

• Warning shared publicly through an official statement on X

• US–India relations strained over tariffs and Washington’s engagement with Pakistan

• Trump administration intensifies crackdown on illegal immigration

• First-ever use of US military aircraft to deport Indian nationals

• Tougher visa policies introduced, including a proposed $100,000 H-1B visa fee

Since taking office in January this year, Trump has vowed to crack down on illegal immigration in the US, rolling out policies and enacting mass deportations through 2025.

In February, a US military aircraft carried 104 deported Indians and landed in Amritsar. Although illegal Indian immigrants have been deported home by previous US administrations, it was the first time Washington used a military aircraft for the purpose.

PIA set to resume London flights in March after six years

In addition to deportations, Washington has made it harder for immigrants to obtain visas. In September, Trump ordered a $100,000 fee for H-1B skilled worker visas.

H-1B visas allow companies to sponsor foreign workers with specialised skills — such as scientists, engineers, and computer programmers — to work in the United States, initially for three years, but extendable to six years.

India’s foreign ministry said that the Trump administration’s move to increase H1-B visa fees was likely to have humanitarian consequences, warning of potential disruptions for families affected by the policy.

Similarly, India’s leading trade body Nasscom said the timeline for implementing the new $100,000 fee for H-1B visas for high-tech workers in the United States was a “concern”.

Trump Warns Iran of “Severe Consequences” Over Nuclear Program

Since his inauguration on January 20, Trump’s administration has revoked around 80,000 non-immigrant visas for offences ranging from driving under the influence to assault and theft.

Around 16,000 of the visa revocations were tied to cases of driving under the influence, while about 12,000 were for assault and another 8,000 for theft.

“These three crimes accounted for almost half of revocations this year,” said a senior State Department official, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

In August, a State Department spokesperson said Washington had revoked more than 6,000 student visas for overstays and breaking the law, including a small number for “support for terrorism”.