Marco Rubio’s strong warning for US visa applicants & holders, says ‘If you violate the terms...'

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a strong statement emphasising that a US visa is not a "birthright," adding that the U.S. does not want individuals in the country who would commit crimes or jeopardise national security and public safety.

“I don’t know when we’ve got it in our head that a visa is some sort of birthright. It is not. It is a visitor into our country, and if you violate the terms of your visitation, you are going to leave.”

The statement comes amid a series of deportations and visa crackdowns by the US targeting foreign nationals, including students and professionals. Last week, Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian PhD student at Columbia University, left the United States after her F-1 student visa was revoked. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accused her of supporting Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the US government. Srinivasan used the newly launched CBP Home App to self-deport on March 11, days after her visa was officially revoked on March 5.

ALSO READ: Trump’s extreme vetting policies put Green Card holders at risk of losing US residency

(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)


Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem commented, "It is a privilege to be granted a visa to live and study in the United States of America. When you advocate for violence and terrorism, that privilege should be revoked, and you should not be in this country. I am glad to see one of the Columbia University terrorist sympathisers use the CBP Home app to self-deport."

The Trump administration has expanded its immigration crackdown to target both illegal and legal immigrants, signaling a shift from earlier policies focused mainly on border enforcement. Efforts now include tighter scrutiny of employment-based visas, student visas, and other legal pathways that bring skilled workers and students to the United States. The administration has emphasized that holding a visa is a privilege, not a right, and that individuals found violating visa conditions or engaging in activities deemed against US interests may face revocation and removal. This has raised concerns among professionals, students, and businesses relying on foreign talent about the stability and predictability of the US immigration system.

ALSO READ: H-1B visa application changes to come into effect on March 20. Fee hike & other key details

At the same time, new enforcement tools and policy measures are being introduced to accelerate removals and discourage overstays. Authorities have stressed a zero-tolerance approach to any violations of immigration rules, reinforcing the message that even those with legal status are subject to strict compliance checks.

ALSO READ: An immigration bill could spell trouble for H-1B visa holders & employers

However, several federal courts have pushed back against parts of the administration’s immigration agenda, blocking some efforts to restrict asylum access and limiting the scope of visa revocations. Judges have also intervened to ensure that deportations do not proceed without due process. Despite these legal challenges, the administration continues to pursue aggressive immigration enforcement, aiming to reduce overall immigration numbers, tighten control over who is allowed to remain in the country, and reshape the role of immigration in the US economy and society.