US cancels 4,700 F1 student visas in 5 months, Indians rush to sanitise online accounts to dodge scrutiny

Amya Mishra, a Class 12 student from Siliguri, West Bengal, is working with study abroad consultants specifically to build social media profiles on LinkedIn and Instagram – public accounts designed to withstand any possible scrutiny. Whatever her personal beliefs, her social media presence will be squeaky clean.

Mishra is preparing to apply to US universities next year. Over 4,700 students – mostly Indian and Chinese – have reportedly lost their F-1 visa status since early 2025 as the United States of America, under the leadership of President Donald Trump, intensified scrutiny of international students through aggressive enforcement measures and massive digital vetting of social media accounts.

The Trump administration’s crackdown has led to fear and panic among Indian students who now face visa cancellations over minor infractions such as unlicensed driving, while others undergo intensive background checks that extend to their personal lives as well as political views.

“Right now, there is definitely some concern,” said Mishra. “After the recent changes in the US visa policy, my parents are a little anxious and definitely not as interested in sending me to the US as they used to be.”

But despite the mounting pressure, Indian students are adapting rather than abandoning their American dreams.

Mishra, too, persists, but with caution. “Since I had planned to go to the US and had already started preparing, I am still trying. I’m keeping all my documents as backup, even on my phone. We are thinking about other countries also, like the UK. But I still want to give the US a shot as it offers great opportunities,” she said.

‘Long been scanning’: Study abroad consultants

Even study abroad consultants aren’t taking risks.

Siddharth Anand, founder of Tertiary Education Advisors or TEA, maintains multiple social media accounts. “I have a private account for posting all the stupid stuff. But make sure your public persona is mature and professional.”

He added that these fears are valid but not new. “I’ve been telling students for the last five to six years — be very mindful of what you post on social media,” he said. “Don’t post a photo with a cigarette or a drink. Don’t take political stances, at least not publicly. Colleges and visa officers have long been scanning applicants’ digital lives.”

Anand’s advice to international students now begins with damage control – building pristine professional LinkedIn profiles. “It’s not just about academics anymore. Your digital presence can influence whether or not you get into a university or secure a visa,” he said.

Also read Trump bars Harvard University from enrolling foreign students; 788 Indians currently enrolled

US F1 visa ‘paranoia’

The enforcement surge has resulted in a major shift of US immigration policy, transforming the student visa process from academic evaluation to a screening of their lifestyle and political choice. This has significantly altered how Indian students now look at studying in the US.

“I get paranoid when I read on Reddit and Quora about people’s visas getting rejected over just one or two questions. That paranoia has definitely started setting in,” said Niharika Khokhar, a psychology graduate pursuing her master’s degree at Institute of Integrated Learning in Management, Gurugram. She aspires to pursue her second master’s degree in the US or Canada.

What now terrifies international students most is the unprecedented examination of their online presence. Khokhar now meticulously monitors her social media accounts that are public, but worries about her private account activities. I have liked stuff (sic) in my private accounts which might be anti-Republican or anti-anything, so that is something I am worried about,” she said.

The digital vetting process has become so intense that students are trying to reshape their entire online identity. “Any public social media accounts that I have, I am mindful about my posting there,” Khokhar said.

US Visa: Revocations hit home

Indian students are now facing visa cancellations over minor breaches such as driving without a licence or participating in small-scale protests. The most shocking incident involved an Indian student being handcuffed and pinned to the ground at Newark Airport, sparking outrage and requiring diplomatic intervention by the union ministry of external affairs (MEA).

These episodes have created a climate of fear and anxiety among international students that adds layers of uncertainties to an already stressful visa application process.

Also read Indian-American student banned from graduation ceremony after pro-Palestinian speech

Study In US: Students still at it

Despite obstacles, America still beckons. The allure lies in an ecosystem that other countries struggle to match. “The US still offers the best in global education — research, flexibility in learning, career pathways through Optional Practical Training (OPT), and exposure to a multicultural environment,” said Mamta Jani, founder of Ontrack Education. “Even if the policies change, the academic and professional opportunities are unmatched.”

Universities like MIT, Stanford and Harvard still dominate global rankings. The OPT programme offers up to three years of hands-on experience in STEM fields – an opportunity many Indian students consider worth the risk. “For students from India and elsewhere, studying in the US is also about building global networks and enhancing employability,” Jani said.

For Khokhar, a shot at exploring opportunities outweighs anxiety. “Psychology in India is still a growing field, but in countries like Canada and the US, it has reached its potential,” she said.

According to MEA data, India led the world in sending students to the US with a record 3,30,000 enrolments in US institutions during the 2023-24 academic year. But with the geopolitical dynamics shifting, Indian students have become more cautious and aware, but no less ambitious.

“I do want and hope that they resolve all these issues by the time I have to go, which is next year,” Khokhar said. For students like her and Mishra, the dream of studying in the US remains alive – but with backup plans and privacy filters.