Passport, visa not enough to enter US, says embassy

Washington reminded Indians that mere valid passport and visa will not be adequate to enter the United States, after India sought explanation on the deportation of its students.

“Even travellers with a visa can be denied entry if the immigration officer finds reason to question the legitimacy of their travel documents or finds that the traveller cannot adequately answer questions about the purpose of his or her travel to the US,” the US embassy in New Delhi said in a statement.

The clarification came as New Delhi asked the US to explain why 14 Indian students who sought admission to Northwest Polytechnic University and Silicon Valley University in California were deported.

Stating that it was aware of reports that students bound for two California schools were denied entry by US Customs and Border Protection agency, the Embassy expressed “regret” the impact it may have had on certain students and families.

“We are following this situation closely and have been in regular communication with the Department of Homeland Security, as well as the Government of India. Facts are still being collected,” the Embassy further stated.

On Saturday, US customs authorities informed Air India that students seeking admission to Northwest Polytechnic University and Silicon Valley University will not be allowed to enter the US as the two California-based schools are “under scrutiny”, prompting the airline to stop 19 students bound for the varsities to stop boarding the Hyderabad-San Francisco flight on Sunday night.

Denying they were “blacklisted”, both the universities have said students may have been subjected to stricter screening measures introduced in US airports in the wake of terrorist attacks in France.