The US embassy in India Tuesday issued a warning at a time when thousands of Indians are stuck in India owing to the ongoing H-1B, H-4 visa appointment delay. The warning is not new but what the Donald Trump administration has been saying since it came to power but the timing of it rankled social media users. “If you break US 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,” the embassy posted on its X handle.
The US Embassy India social media handle shares US news and crucial developments, announcements of the Department of State. The embassy handle’s last such warning message was on December 26: “The United States is targeting individuals and companies that prey on vulnerable people by facilitating illegal immigration to the United States.”Tuesday’s message on law-breaking in the US and the Trump administration’s commitment to end illegal immigration drew backlash on social media as people reminded that the US administration is creating hurdles in legal routes too. “Cancelling appointments at last moment and postponing it for 4 months is cruelty. You just want to display hostility to India one way or the other to appease racist MAGA base and draw more economic favors. We understand your game,” one wrote.”Whom are you warning… ? Are you a Diplomatic mission or A Thug?” another questioned.
Visa delays lead to unprecedented chaos
The US Department of State started social media vetting of all H-1B and H-4 visa applicants on December 15. Applicants are required to mention all their social media handles that have been used in the last five years in the DS-160 form, and visa officers are supposed to approve the application after going through the social media handles. Since this has become a time-consuming process, the embassy reduced the number of daily interviews and rescheduled hundreds of interviews for next year. Many H-1B visa holders traveled to India to get their visa stamping in December, only to be informed by the consulates that their interviews have been deferred by at least six months. The Indian government has raised the issue with the US as thousands of H-1B visa holders are now stuck in India and their jobs are also at risk as companies may not allow them to work from India.