In December last year, Air India confirmed that 14 students admitted to Silicon Valley University at San Jose and Northwestern Polytechnic University in Fremont had been deported from the US via the airline.

The events initially prompted wide speculation that the two universities had been ‘blacklisted’ by the US government as bogus institutions – something both the institutions and the US Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement have denied.

The deportations prompted the Indian Ministry of External Affairs to issue a statement on December 23, advising students admitted to the two institutions to defer their travel to the US.

“It is reiterated that all Indian students seeking admission in US educational institutions should do due diligence”

“Government of India has taken up this matter with the US government,” the advisory read. “We have asked the US authorities to explain the reasons for denial of entry on a large scale to Indian students holding valid visas.”

At the end of December, a follow-up statement was issued saying the decision to deny entry to students was based on assessments of individual applicants, rather than the institutions being ‘blacklisted’, which was echoed by a statement from the US government itself.

“Both Silicon Valley University and Northwestern Polytechnic College are still certified by SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) to enrol international students,” ICE said in a statement.

“US Customs and Border Protection can deny entry to anyone attempting to enter the US, based on a variety of factors,” it added.

The statement appeared to contract a statement from Air India, which said it had been advised that the two colleges were “under scrutiny”.

The airline also confirmed that it had prevented an additional 19 students from boarding a flight to San Francisco, as a “precautionary measure and to avoid inconvenience”, as well as costs incurred in buying a return flight at short notice.

“US Customs and Border Protection can deny entry to anyone attempting to enter the US, based on a variety of factors”

In its advisory on December 30, the ministry “strongly emphasised the need for the US authorities to honour the visas issued by their own Embassy/Consulates”, adding that there have since been additional cases in which Indian students admitted to other institutions have been denied entry to the US despite holding valid visas.

“According to the US government, the deported persons had presented information to the border patrol agent which was inconsistent with their visa status,” the second advisory from the Indian government read.

“It is reiterated that all Indian students seeking admission in US educational institutions should do due diligence to ensure that the institutions to which they are seeking admission have proper authorisation and capacities.

“Apart from travel documents, the students should also carry all required documentation regarding their study plans, housing, financial support, healthcare arrangements etc., and be prepared for admission (entry to the US) interviews with US immigration officials.”

“Government of India continues to remain closely engaged with the US government on this subject,” it added.