Indian student denied entry to US via WhatsApp group?
A viral post urged international students to be careful before joining any group on WhatsApp, citing the case of an Indian student being banned from entering the US due to WhatsApp activity.
The post did not detail what exactly happened, but claimed that the student who was returning to the United States from India after summer vacation was returned to India. This happened after an officer sought to check the student’s phone. The post claimed that the student was a member of a WhatsApp group that was sharing “ride-related information and mission-related content.”The post also added that they are not sure if the WhatsApp group is the only reason for concern.The claim made by the social media post has not been independently verified by TOI.“Yesterday I spoke to a student who said he was denied entry and sent back to India after arriving at Atlanta airport. According to him, officers checked his phone, including his WhatsApp chats. He told me that he did nothing wrong, but was a member of a WhatsApp group that was sharing ride-related information and mission-related content.
“I cannot verify whether this is the actual reason for the decision, the only reason for the decision, and only immigration officials know the full facts.”
An Indian student was denied entry into the US after an officer scanned his WhatsApp at Atlanta airport, a social media post claimed.
“The student is on an F1 visa and still has approximately six months to complete his studies. He had gone to India for a one-month summer vacation and was returning to the US when this happened,” the post read.The post shared on the NRI group also provided a checklist for students:Pay attention to the WhatsApp, Telegram and social media groups you join.See what’s being shared in those groups.Avoid participating or staying in groups that share illegal or inappropriate content.Maintain your online presence in a professional and responsible manner, especially when traveling internationally.If immigration officers ask you to check your devices, cooperate respectfully and answer honestly.
