New Delhi [India], July 17 (HBTV): The US Embassy in India has cautioned that committing crimes such as assault, theft, or burglary in the United States could result in serious consequences beyond legal action, including visa revocation and ineligibility for future visas.

‘Committing assault, theft, or burglary in the United States won't just cause you legal issues – it could lead to your visa being revoked and make you ineligible for future US visas. The United States values law and order and expects foreign visitors to follow all US laws,’ the embassy said in an official message.

The statement emphasised that adherence to US laws is mandatory for all foreign visitors, with violations potentially impacting future travel eligibility.

The advisory follows growing concerns over the conduct of certain visa holders. In a recent incident, an Indian woman reportedly spent over seven hours inside a Target store on May 1, collecting items worth USD 1,300 (approximately INR 1.1 lakh), before allegedly attempting to leave without paying. The incident gained attention online after a store employee confronted her, and footage of the exchange circulated widely.

Highlighting the seriousness of its position, the US Embassy reiterated on Saturday that visa screening continues even after a visa is granted, stressing that criminal behaviour can jeopardise a person’s current visa status and future eligibility.

‘US visa screening does not stop after a visa is issued. We continuously check visa holders to ensure they follow all US laws and immigration rules – and we will revoke their visas and deport them if they don't,’ the embassy said in a post on X.

The statement reinforces the United States’ ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with its immigration laws and reminds all visa holders that they must strictly adhere to legal requirements during their stay.

As part of broader efforts to tighten screening, the United States recently announced that all individuals applying for an F, M, or J non-immigrant visa are now required to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media accounts to 'public' to facilitate identity and admissibility verification.

In a post on X, the official handle of the US Embassy in India (@USAndIndia) stated: ‘Every visa adjudication is a national security decision. Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J non-immigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their personal social media accounts to "public" to facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States.’

The embassy also noted that since 2019, visa applicants have been required to provide social media identifiers on both immigrant and non-immigrant visa application forms.

‘We use all available information in our visa screening and vetting to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible to the United States, including those who pose a threat to US national security,’ the post added.

In a related development, the US government has unveiled a sweeping new 2025 travel ban that bars nationals from 12 countries entirely and imposes partial restrictions on seven others. The move is aimed at prioritising national security, especially with regard to countries considered high-risk for security loopholes and terrorism.

Citizens from the affected countries now face a complete ban on immigrant and non-immigrant visas, including those for tourism, education, and employment. Meanwhile, individuals from the seven partially restricted countries face stricter screening procedures or limited visa categories.

Amid concerns in South Asia, the US has clarified that India is not included in the list. The US continues to process visa applications for Indian nationals across all categories, including B1/B2 tourist visas, H1B work permits, and F1 student visas.

However, applicants from India still face long delays due to high demand and administrative backlogs, with most US consulates in the country currently offering interview slots up to 10–12 months in advance.

So while India remains unaffected by the new travel ban, extended processing times may still disrupt travel, education, and employment opportunities for many. (ANI)