India, Jan. 30 -- The US Department of State's decision to temporarily pause immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries does not directly apply to India. Yet for many Indian applicants, the announcement raises a concern: what does it signal about the direction of US immigration policy?

The pause, announced through departmental guidance on January 14 and effective from January 21, allows applicants from affected countries to submit forms and attend interviews, but bars the issuance of immigrant visas during the review period. Non-immigrant categories, including tourist, student and work visas, are excluded.

On paper, India remains unaffected. In practice, immigration advisers say the implications go beyond the list.

According...