US DEPORTS 15 INDIAN STUDENTS
RETURNED FROM US 15 more sent back to Hyderabad, students, families furious over ‘embarrassment and insult’
HYDERABAD: It seems no respite is in sight for the Telugu students seeking admission to educational institutions in the United States as a fresh batch of about 15 students was deported to Hyderabad by the US authorities on Friday.
The students, some of whom were to join the Northwestern Polytechnic University – one of the two Californian institutes under the scanner – reportedly reached Hyderabad on Saturday morning.
“The deportation of students has become a regular affair at the airport in the past few days,” an immigration official at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, said.
In the past fortnight, around 50 students have been either de por ted or stopped from boarding a US- bound flight at Hyderabad, the state that tops the country in sending students to the US for higher studies.
“We were treated badly by the US officials. Even after confirming I had all documents in place, they said I cannot be allowed into the US. They gave me the option of withdrawing the visa or said they could cancel it, barring my entry into the US for five years,” Anil Kumar, a student, told news channels at the airport.
Students and their family members are furious over the ongoing deportations and the “embarrassment and insult” they have to suffer.
“One of ficial even questioned if we had bought our visas. They should know that it would be possible only if their officials here sell them,” an enraged student said. The students also expressed their surprise at the fact that one section of the US administration — Customs and Border Protection — was not honouring the visa given by the other — the US Consulate.
“Let it be understood that a visa issued is no guarantee for US entry. What is important is that immigration officials at the port of entry should be satisfied with the intent of your visit,” an official told HT earlier.
The deportations are spiralling into a diplomatic issue between the two nations.
While asking the US authorities to honour the visas issued by their embassies and consulates, the ministry of external affairs has also advised travellers to carry all required documentation and be prepared for immigration interviews.