The US Embassy in India has issued a strong warning to foreign nationals, especially those holding American visas, stating that arrests for crimes such as assault, domestic violence, or other serious offences could result in immediate visa cancellation and impact future eligibility to enter the United States.
In an official statement shared on social media platform X, US authorities emphasized that a visa is “a privilege, not a right”, and that any criminal behavior — whether in the US or abroad — can lead to severe immigration penalties.
“If you are arrested for assault, domestic violence, or other crimes while in the United States, your US visa may be revoked, and you may be ineligible for future US visas,” the embassy stated.
The warning comes amid Donald Trump’s renewed focus on immigration enforcement, including a pledge to deport foreign nationals found guilty of any criminal activity.
Recent data from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights shows that over 142,000 individuals were deported from the US between January 20 and April 29.
Under US law, crimes such as theft, shoplifting, larceny, embezzlement, robbery, and burglary are treated as serious offences. Penalties vary by state and federal law, but can include criminal charges, civil lawsuits, and immigration consequences.
Many US states also allow store owners to detain suspected shoplifters and pursue civil penalties against them.
The US Department of Justice has reiterated that even seemingly minor offences can have long-lasting immigration consequences, including visa revocation, deportation, and permanent bans from entering the country.
