A recent situation has arisen where Indian students were sent back from the United States due to entry denial by customs officials at the border. This news has been making rounds in India, especially in regions like Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. These areas have seen students facing entry refusal as they couldn't provide satisfactory answers to questions posed by immigration officers. Additionally, there needed to be more consistency found in their visa documents.

The exact count of affected students remains uncertain, though some sources suggest around 21 students were denied entry. However, this number still needs to be verified.

A US Customs and Border Protection spokesperson mentioned that they are aware of these reports but cannot give out specifics as visa records are confidential as per US law. They emphasised that all individuals are processed based on immigration laws, and their eligibility for entry is determined at the port of entry.

Media in India indicates that students faced this issue at Atlanta, Chicago, San Francisco, and New Jersey airports. But, these reports also need more independent verification.

To assist affected students, Andhra Pradesh, a state where many of these students come, has set up a helpline. The state's Chief Minister, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, plans to escalate the matter to the Ministry of External Affairs for swift resolution.

Reports suggest that students struggled to communicate effectively with US officers at the airport. They couldn't meet expectations when asked to present financial documents.

This isn't the first time such a situation has occurred. In 2015, students heading to two California schools faced a similar denial of entry. The number of Indian students studying in the US had increased by nearly 30% from the previous year.

The US recently issued over 125,000 visas to Indian students, marking an all-time high. This shows an increasing trend in students seeking education opportunities in the US. Stakeholders advise students to be well-prepared to handle questions and requirements at the US border.

Experts like Subhakar Alapati, the Founder and Director of Global Tree, emphasise the importance of adhering to guidelines, such as having the right financial and academic documentation.

"Students need to be really clear and able to talk about why they're going to the US," Alapati advised. "They should be able to explain their purpose to the immigration officers."

On top of that, they should have proof that they have enough money for their stay and that their tuition fees are already paid.

"It's also important for students to show they're not involved in any trickery and know what's going on at the university," he added. It's been said that immigration officers even looked at students' phone messages at the border.

Though we have yet to determine exactly how many students faced these issues, "it's super important for students to take steps to be safe, and both universities and consultants should help them with the right information. This way, we can avoid more students going through this," Alapati added.

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Source: PIE NEWS