Following a viral video of an Indian woman being apprehended for shoplifting in the United States, the U.S. Embassy in India has issued a strong warning to potential visa applicants. The embassy's message highlights the serious legal and immigration repercussions that can arise from committing crimes on American soil.
The warning, posted on X by the U.S. Embassy, states that "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 embassy further emphasized that the United States values law and order and expects all foreign visitors to abide by U.S. laws without exception.
This advisory comes amid increasing restrictions on U.S. visa processes, particularly concerning criminal conduct and applicant background checks. Just last month, the embassy issued a warning regarding illegal entry into the U.S. after an Indian student was detained and deported. Moreover, the federal government has been advocating for stricter social media vetting for all U.S. visa applicants.
The immediate trigger for the embassy's warning was a viral video depicting an Indian tourist allegedly shoplifting from a Target store in the U.S.. The video, shared on YouTube, shows the woman being confronted by store staff and law enforcement officers after she allegedly attempted to leave the store with approximately $1,000 worth of merchandise without paying.
In the video, the woman pleads with officers to allow her to pay for the items, questioning, "But if I'm paying for it, what is the harm?". However, an officer responds, "It would have been fine if you didn't leave, right? You would have had that opportunity to pay. But because you left the store at that point, you chose to not pay for it, and we can't go back".
The incident has sparked widespread discussion online, with many calling for increased awareness campaigns for Indian travelers going abroad. According to U.S. immigration lawyer Alen Takhsh, even without a conviction, an arrest for shoplifting can have severe immigration consequences. He stated that shoplifting is considered a "Crime Involving Moral Turpitude" because it involves dishonesty and could have serious consequences.
The U.S. Embassy's warning serves as a reminder that visitors to the United States are expected to respect and obey the country's laws. Failure to do so can result in serious consequences, including visa revocation and ineligibility for future U.S. visas. This can have long-lasting effects on an individual's ability to travel to and live in the United States.
