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US Embassy in India Issues Criminal-Penalties Warning as Visa Disruptions and H‑1B Fee Fight Deepen

India is pressing Washington over deferred H‑1B and H‑4 interviews.

Overview

  • The US Embassy in India posted on X that breaking US law carries “significant criminal penalties,” reaffirming the administration’s enforcement posture.
  • Thousands of H‑1B and H‑4 visa interviews in India were deferred under enhanced vetting, with some applicants told their appointments were moved as late as May.
  • New Delhi has raised the interview cancellations and postponements with the United States and says talks are underway to resolve the disruptions.
  • On December 23 a federal judge upheld President Donald Trump’s authority to impose a $100,000 fee on new H‑1B visas, and the US Chamber of Commerce has filed an appeal.
  • Recent actions cited in coverage include a February deportation flight returning 104 Indian nationals and reported large‑scale visa revocations linked to criminal offenses.