NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs (MEA) has said that it has asked US officials to honour the visas issued by their own embassies and consulates. The MEA press comes at a time when US immigration officials have denied entry to a number of students, who had been admitted to two California universities that have been ‘blacklisted’.

The Centre’s statement to this effect was part of an advisory it issued to all Indians travelling to the US. The advisory asked the travelers to carry proper documentation to ensure they are admitted into the US.

The row over the denial of entry to the students has also been accompanied by a similar turning away of some business travelers and tourists.

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The US however has said its decision to deny entry to even those with valid visas had nothing to do with the the ‘blacklisting’ of the two universities. It said some individuals had been denied entry as they provided ‘inconsistent information’ to immigration officials.

"We have strongly emphasized the need for the US authorities to honour the visas issued by their own Embassy/Consulates," read the advisory issued by the MEA.

"The US Government has conveyed that the decision to deny entry to these students is not because of the corresponding institutions being 'black-listed' but based on the assessment made by the US immigration authorities of individual applicants,” said the MEA.

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"According to the US Government, the deported persons had presented information to the border patrol agent which was inconsistent with their visa status," the MEA advisory read, adding that India continues to remain closely engaged with the US Government on this subject.

The advisory stressed 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, health care arrangements etc. and be prepared for admission (entry to the US) interviews with US immigration officials, it said.

In continuation of December 23 advisory in connection with denial of entry by the US to Indian students having valid student visas to pursue studies in educational institutions -Silicon Valley University at San Jose and Northwestern Polytechnic University, Fremont, the ministry noted that there have been more cases of deportation of Indians.

Subsequently, there have been further cases of denial of entry to Indian students holding valid visas to pursue studies in other US educational institutions, it said, adding some Indian nationals travelling on business/tourism/work visas have also been deported.