Amid heightened scrutiny and mass deportations by the US government, a foreign policy expert has voiced concern over the increasingly hostile environment for international students, particularly those from India.

Robinder Sachdev, a noted foreign policy analyst, said while the recent US warning to international students about visa risks is technically valid, it highlights a deeper shift in sentiment against immigrants.

“Students on visas are expected to regularly attend classes and stay in academic good standing. If not, they violate visa terms. From that view, the warning is valid,” Sachdev told IANS.

However, he emphasized that the broader environment has turned notably unfriendly. “There’s growing anti-immigrant sentiment in the US. Under Trump’s administration, student visa holders, especially those involved in protests or minor legal infractions, are under heightened scrutiny. Even small issues like traffic violations are grounds for visa cancellation,” he said.

He also noted that universities are now required to report any charges involving international students, making the process stricter. “Any student with a charge is being flagged, and the government is aggressively cancelling visas. The climate is worrying,” he added.

The warning follows a wave of deportation drives earlier this year, many of which targeted students and immigrants. As a result, several US universities have issued advisories asking international students to avoid unnecessary travel abroad.

This trend signals a broader change in US immigration policy, where even students with valid documentation are uncertain about their future.