US lawmakers have urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to address recent delays for Indian students seeking to obtain student visa appointments. As many US colleges commence their fall semesters next month, the lawmakers urged the State Department to swiftly address visa appointment delays.
In a letter sent to the Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Congresswoman Deborah Ross led a bipartisan group of 14 lawmakers to address recent delays for Indian students seeking to obtain student visa appointments to begin or continue their studies in the United States.
Lawmakers Letter
In their letter, the lawmakers wrote, “As members of Congress who represent research universities, we are concerned by reports from our constituent universities about Indian students who have been unable to obtain visas to continue their education in the United States.”
They continued, “Indian students form the largest group of international students in the United States and contribute $9 billion annually to the U.S. economy. We have seen first-hand how their contributions to science and research keep our nation competitive. We are dismayed at the possibility that many of these bright young individuals may be blocked… from continuing their education and research in the United States.”
The lawmakers concluded, “Research universities are vital players in our national economy, contributing to basic research and cutting-edge inventions. Indian students take part in this work in every field of study. Moreover, as we seek to promote U.S.-India cooperation on the global stage, educational exchange is vital to encouraging collaboration between our nations.”
The group is seeking an update on the State Department’s efforts to address India’s student visa backlog by 8 August, as well as information on strategies to restore full processing operations and ensure equal visa appointment access.
Visa Appointments
The US Embassy has made thousands of student visa appointments accessible at Indian consulates in May for the advantage of Indian students wishing to study in the United States. In addition to overseeing the operations of four consulates in Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, and Kolkata, the US Embassy in New Delhi is one of the biggest diplomatic installations in the world.