Kaushik Raj, a 27-year-old journalist from Delhi, was poised to start his master’s in data journalism at Columbia University with a $100,000 scholarship. He told NDTV, “I had fulfilled all requirements and completed the interview. It was devastating to receive the rejection letter.”
The United States Embassy in New Delhi cited “insufficient ties to India” as the reason for denying Raj’s visa. Raj reacted sharply: “It was clearly because they went through my social media. I had shared factual stories, not politics.”
Raj explained to The Washington Post that his social media activity focused on documenting hate crimes, not expressing political opinions. “I refrained from commenting on global conflicts, yet that didn’t seem to matter,” he said with frustration.
Under the Trump administration, social media vetting has become integral to the visa application process. A White House official told reporters, “Screening social media helps identify applicants who could pose threats to national security.”
Raj said, “It feels like a blanket judgement on young Indians who have no ill intent. I’ve spent my life in India, yet the US says I’m not tied enough.”
Three other Indian students interviewed by The Washington Post described similar experiences. One said, “I did everything correctly, but social media activity, however minor, was used to reject me.”
Raj’s semester at Columbia was scheduled to begin in August, but the rejection letter arrived around the same time. “I was ready to start my American dream, only to have it denied without proper explanation,” he told NDTV.
The embassy did not reference his online activity but emphasized legal requirements. Raj countered, saying, “It’s impossible to believe it wasn’t considered. They went through my accounts thoroughly. This is the new norm for visas.”
A US official clarified, “All F, M, and J visa applicants are required to make social media public. It ensures proper vetting under US law and confirms identity and admissibility.”
Raj’s experience highlights a broader trend: the US issued 19.1 percent fewer student visas in August, with Indian applicants seeing a 44.5 percent decline. “This is an alarming signal to young Indians,” he said.
“India was the top source of students last year, yet suddenly students are facing stricter scrutiny,” Raj added. “It feels arbitrary and discouraging for future scholars.”
Raj has now applied to the UK. “I hope I can continue my studies without being unfairly judged for social media activity that simply documented real issues,” he told NDTV.
Experts argue that social media vetting is a double-edged sword. Dr. Anjali Mehta, an immigration policy analyst, said, “While security is important, overemphasis on online activity can unfairly penalize qualified students.”
Raj emphasized, “We are not activists, but journalists documenting events. Being denied based on social media sets a dangerous precedent for freedom of expression.”
The US embassy defended the vetting process. A spokesperson said, “We aim to protect national interests while ensuring applicants meet all legal and identity verification requirements. This is applied consistently.”
Raj’s story underscores the human cost of strict visa policies. “It’s not just numbers or statistics. Denying a student destroys dreams and delays academic and professional growth,” he explained.
He also said, “I have no plans to abandon my career in journalism. I will pursue opportunities elsewhere, but the US visa process needs transparency and fairness.”
Indian student visas have now dropped below China’s, historically second, marking a dramatic shift. Raj told NDTV, “This is a clear signal of discouragement, especially when scholarships and qualifications are ignored.”
Social media vetting remains controversial. “It is critical for security but can harm international academic collaboration,” said Dr. Mehta. “Finding balance is key to sustaining US educational influence globally.”
Raj concluded, “I respect the need for security. But the approach should not destroy innocent aspirations. Students should be judged by merit, not social media activity.”
The larger implication is diplomatic. “The US risks alienating top global talent if policies appear arbitrary,” Mehta warned. “Transparency and fairness in visa issuance are essential for maintaining trust.”
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