India urges US to consider visa applications of Indian students on merit

This appeal comes amid Washington considering tightening social media scrutiny for visa applicants. Read further on Dynamite News:

New Delhi: India today hoped the US will consider the visa applications of Indian students on merit and that they will be able to join their academic programmes on time, amid reports that the US has paused scheduling new interviews for international students under the F, M, and J visa categories.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a briefing in response to a question:

“We have seen reports suggesting US government's updated guidance regarding students and exchange visitor visa applicants.

Indian Students Welfare

“The welfare of Indian students abroad remains of utmost priority to the Government of India. We will continue to follow further developments in this regard.

“While we note that issuance of visa is a sovereign function, we hope that the application of Indian students will be considered on merit and they will be able to join their academic programs on time.

Categories Of Visas

“There are other categories of visas which are also issued, and hopefully these are functions which lie in the sovereign domain, and we should be respectful of them.”

“In 2023-24, 330,000 students were there. This year, the updated figure we don't have … we are talking about 2023-24. For updated figures, you can also visit the relevant websites of the US Government. “

This appeal comes amid Washington considering tightening social media scrutiny for visa applicants.

15% Cap On Foreign Students

US President Donald Trump has said that there should be a cap of around 15 percent on foreign students at Harvard University, while continuing to pressure it to submit its list of foreign students.

Trump To Reporters

President Trump has said that Harvard has to show the list of foreign students to prove that they have followed the cap of 15 per cent admissions.

"Harvard has to show us their lists," Trump told reporters at the White House on Wednesday. "They have foreign students. About 31 percent of their students are foreign based. Almost 31 percent. We want to know where those students come. Are they troublemakers?"

Trump claimed that many of those students were troublemakers "caused by the radical left lunatics in this country."

"I think they should have a cap of maybe around 15 percent, not 31 percent, we have people want to go to Harvard and other schools they can't get in because we have foreign students there," he said.

Trump Targets US Universities

After Trump returned to the White House, he has targeted many U.S. universities, warning that those that do not adjust their policies will face funding cuts. The Trump administration's main demands include eradicating antisemitism on campus and abolishing diversity initiatives that favor minority groups.