Indian Immigrants Fear Leaving Home Amid Trump’s Strict US Visa Rules

Washington: The ongoing Christmas holidays in the US, which usually see heavy travel, have witnessed a significant decline in movement this year. Even immigrants holding valid visas or citizenship are avoiding leaving their homes, driven by fear of strict enforcement measures introduced by the Trump administration.

According to a 2025 survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) and The New York Times, nearly 27% of immigrants in the US have deliberately stopped traveling. The fear is not limited to undocumented immigrants; even those with valid visas or naturalized citizenship are keeping a low profile and avoiding travel unless absolutely necessary. Among valid visa holders, 32% have stopped traveling, while 15% of naturalized citizens reported the same. Among undocumented immigrants, approximately two-thirds (63%) are avoiding both domestic and international travel.

The Trump administration has tightened visa and immigration rules significantly. Domestic flights are now under closer scrutiny, with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) sharing passenger manifesto data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to identify and detain individuals who may be residing in the country illegally.

Indian visa holders have been particularly affected. Shikha S., a 30-year-old IT professional from Texas, had planned to visit her parents in India after two years but canceled her trip due to reports of extra screening for H-1B visa holders and delays in visa appointments. Her parents advised her against traveling to avoid unnecessary complications, despite her visa being valid.

Since July, the Trump administration has implemented several changes to H-1B and H-4 visa rules: remote visa renewals were discontinued, fees for new applications increased, and social media screening became mandatory before issuing visas. These changes have created uncertainty for many Indian professionals. Major tech companies like Microsoft and Google have advised employees to avoid non-essential international travel.