Ajay Bhutoria, a former member of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, advocating for policies that support immigrant communities, including streamlining visa processes and reducing backlogs, said:
“The U.S. State Department’s decision to pause new student visa appointments to expand social media vetting is alarming, especially for Indian students aiming for Fall 2025 admissions. While I support rigorous vetting for security, this pause risks creating significant backlogs, threatening the academic dreams of thousands of Indian students.
With over 300,000 Indian students contributing $ 8 billion to the U.S. economy in 2024, India is a cornerstone of our academic exchange. The 38% drop in F-1 visas issued to Indians from January to September 2024, coupled with visa slot shortages since mid-March 2025, already strains this partnership. Further delays could force students to defer their admissions, incur financial losses, and experience emotional hardship.
I urge the State Department to prioritize student visa processing by boosting consular resources, expediting Fall 2025 appointments, and clarifying the vetting process. Congress must demand transparency on the scope and impact of the pause. Let’s preserve the U.S. as a global education hub by addressing these challenges swiftly."
