US Embassy Issues Stern Warning to Indian Visa Applicants After Shoplifting Incident
The US Embassy in India has released a strong advisory for Indian citizens seeking US visas, emphasizing the severe consequences of criminal behavior in the United States. In a recent statement posted on X, the US State Department explicitly cautioned against engaging in crimes such as assault, theft, or burglary. “Committing assault, theft, or burglary in the United States can lead to more than just legal trouble it may result in visa revocation and ineligibility for future US visas,” the embassy stated. It further underscored that the US prioritizes law and order, expecting all foreign visitors to comply with its laws.
This warning follows a widely circulated video showing an Indian woman caught shoplifting at a Target store during her US vacation.
Indian Tourist Caught Shoplifting at Target
The incident, captured in a viral video shared by the independent YouTube channel @BodyCamEdition, involved an Indian tourist attempting to steal items valued at approximately ₹1.1 lakh ($1,000). In the footage, the woman can be heard pleading with law enforcement officers, asking to pay for the items to resolve the situation. “If I’m paying for it, what’s the problem?” she questioned. An officer responded, “It would’ve been fine if you hadn’t left the store. You had the chance to pay, but by leaving, you chose not to, and we can’t undo that.”
BREAKING: Indian woman named Ananya Avlani (tourist) visiting the US shoplifted $1,300 (Rs1,11,617) worth of goods from a Target store in Illinois pic.twitter.com/RCDUMWQiBj
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) July 16, 2025
This advisory comes amid heightened scrutiny of US visa applications. Last month, the US Embassy issued a warning about illegal entry following the detention and deportation of an Indian student at a US airport. Additionally, the federal government has introduced stricter vetting processes, including mandatory social media screening for all visa applicants. The embassy has also replaced traditional visa interviews with reviews of applicants’ social media accounts to assess eligibility.