Theft, assault in US may lead to visa cancellation, entry ban: US Embass

The US Embassy warns that crimes like theft or assault can lead to visa loss and re-entry ban; over 142,000 people were deported from

The US Embassy in India has issued a warning to visa holders, stating that committing crimes like assault, theft, or burglary in the United States can lead to the cancellation of their visa and may also block future entry into the country. 

In a post on X, the Embassy said: “Committing assault, theft, or burglary in the United States won’t just cause you legal issues — it could lead to your visa being revoked and make you ineligible for future US visas. The United States values law and order and expects foreign visitors to follow all US laws.”

 

Crime and deportation in the US

This advisory comes at a time when US authorities are tightening their immigration policies. Under President Donald Trump’s administration, efforts to deport undocumented immigrants and those involved in crimes had intensified.  ALSO READ: US visa rules: Even a 3-day overstay can lead to arrest, 10-year ban  According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, between January 20 and April 29, around 142,000 people were deported from the United States, news agency ANI reported. 

How US law handles theft and shoplifting

According to the US federal legislative website, stealing property comes under different legal categories, depending on the nature and value of the theft. Federal and state laws describe crimes like larceny, embezzlement, robbery, and burglary in detail. 

 

The US Department of Justice explains that in most states, shop owners have the right to stop and question a suspected shoplifter. In some states, business owners can even take civil action against shoplifters. Shoplifting is treated as either a misdemeanour or a felony, depending on the value of the stolen items.   If the stolen goods are worth less than $300, it is a Class A misdemeanour, punishable by up to $2,500 in fines and one year in prison. If the value exceeds $300, the offender faces a Class 4 felony, which carries fines up to $25,000 and one to three years of imprisonment, ANI reported. 

A group representing India’s IT workers has sent a letter to the labour and employment ministry, accusing Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) of “coercive” and “punishing” practices under its new bench policy.

 

The policy, enforced by India's largest IT services provider last month, stipulates that employees can be without any project allocation for a maximum 35 days a year, after which they risk career de-growth or even termination.

 

"While on the surface it presents itself as a resource optimisation and engagement strategy, a closer and humane reading reveals that it institutionalises a culture of fear, pressure, and psychological burden on employees who are between projects,” said Harpreet Singh Saluja, president of Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES), in the letter.