The United States on Monday, May 19, 2025, announced new steps to stop illegal immigration from India. The U.S. government said it will put visa restrictions on “owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies” in India. These travel agencies are accused of “knowingly” helping people come illegally to the U.S.

Tammy Bruce, the spokesperson of the U.S. Department of State, made this announcement. She said, “The Department of State is taking steps today to impose visa restrictions on owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies based and operating in India for knowingly facilitating illegal immigration to the United States.” This means the U.S. will not give visas to these people because they are helping illegal immigration.

So far, the U.S. has not shared the names of the people who will face these visa restrictions. When asked by the media, the U.S. Embassy said it cannot share the names “due to visa record confidentiality.” This means the U.S. keeps visa information private and will not reveal who is on the list.

This announcement comes a few months after the U.S. started sending back Indian nationals found living illegally in America. In February 2025, the U.S. sent back about 330 Indian nationals. This shows the strong position of the Donald Trump administration against illegal immigration. The issue is also believed to have been discussed during U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance’s visit to India last month.

The Department of State also said it is working every day at the U.S. Embassy and consulates in India. Officials are trying to find and stop people who help illegal immigration and human trafficking. The spokesperson said, “We will continue to take steps to impose visa restrictions against owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies to cut off alien smuggling networks. Our immigration policy aims not only to inform foreign nationals about the dangers of illegal immigration to the U.S. but also to hold accountable individuals who violate our laws, including facilitators of illegal immigration.” She also added, “This visa restriction policy is global and even applies to individuals who otherwise qualify for the visa waiver program.”

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