Self-deportation means when a person decides to leave a country because of strict laws or policies that make it hard to stay. Many Indian students in the U.S. are now facing this situation due to immigration rules.

Under former U.S. President Donald Trump, many visa policies became stricter. One important law, the Alien Enemies Act, gave the government more power to remove foreign nationals. Although this law was created long ago, it was used in recent years to make deportation easier.

For Indian students, the biggest issue comes when they "age out" of their visa status. Many students are in the U.S. under H-4 visas, which are given to children of H-1B visa holders.

But once they turn 21, they are no longer eligible for this visa. This means they must either switch to a different visa, often very difficult or leave the country.

Because of these strict rules, many students have started to leave the U.S. voluntarily, even if they have lived there most of their lives. Some are also quitting part-time jobs out of fear that even a small mistake could lead to deportation.

Self-deportation has affected thousands of Indian students. It forces them to leave behind their education, friends, and opportunities in the U.S. This situation has made many question the fairness of the immigration system and how it impacts young lives.