New Delhi / Washington (Rajeev Sharma): The US Embassy in India has issued a strong advisory warning that engaging in criminal activities such as theft, assault, or burglary in the United States could lead to the revocation of a visa and ineligibility for future US visas. The announcement follows a widely reported incident involving an Indian woman accused of shoplifting from a Target store in Illinois.
In a social media post on X (formerly Twitter), the Embassy emphasized the seriousness of such offenses, stating:
“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 U.S. visas. The United States values law and order and expects foreign visitors to follow all U.S. laws.”
The advisory underlined that such offenses not only violate state and federal laws but also carry immigration consequences, potentially affecting an individual’s ability to return to the U.S. in the future.
The Incident Behind the Advisory
The Embassy’s warning comes in the wake of a case involving an Indian national who allegedly spent over seven hours inside a Target store in Illinois on May 1, during which she collected items worth approximately $1,300 (₹1.1 lakh). According to reports and bodycam footage released later, the woman attempted to leave the store without paying, prompting store staff to intervene and notify the police.
A Target employee in the video claims,
“We saw this woman roaming around the store for the last 7 hours. She was picking up items, checking her phone, moving between aisles, and eventually tried to walk out the west gate without paying.”
The footage also shows the woman attempting to settle the matter by offering to pay for the items at the scene. Despite her offer, she was handcuffed and escorted to the police station. A police officer can be heard questioning her bluntly:
“Are you allowed to steal things in India? I did not think so.”
The woman is reportedly facing felony theft charges, and while she has not been formally arrested, legal proceedings are expected to follow.
Broader Legal Context
According to congress.gov, theft and related crimes such as larceny, burglary, embezzlement, and robbery are criminalized under various state and federal statutes in the U.S. Convictions can carry serious penalties, including prison time, fines, and immigration consequences such as visa cancellation or deportation.
A Stern Reminder
The Embassy’s advisory is being seen as a stern reminder to all foreign nationals traveling to the United States to strictly follow the law. The U.S. government has made it clear that criminal behavior will not only attract legal penalties but could severely jeopardize one’s immigration status and future travel privileges.
As the viral incident continues to stir conversation online, authorities are urging travelers to stay aware of local laws and regulations and to remember that ignorance is no defense under U.S. law.
