Resolve visa delays for Indian students, US lawmakers urge state department

A bipartisan group of 14 United States legislators, including three of Indian origin, urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to resolve delays in student visa appointments for Indian applicants, India Today reported.

The lawmakers raised the concerns in a letter sent ahead of the upcoming academic session. They cited reports from US universities that Indian students were struggling to obtain visas to begin or continue their studies.

The signatories to the letter were led by Democrat Congresswoman Deborah Ross, India Today reported. The Indian legislators who signed the letter were Pramila Jayapal, Shri Thanedar and Raja Krishnamoorthi.

They highlighted that Indian students are the largest group of international students in the US and contribute nearly $9 billion annually to the American economy.

“We have seen first-hand how their contributions to science and research keep our nation competitive,” they said in their letter. “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.”

On Tuesday, India’s Ministry of External Affairs informed Parliament that the student visa processing capacity of the US embassy and consulates in India had “further reduced” due to additional security measures introduced by the US government on June 18.

Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti...

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