United States & Trump Deported Illegal Immigrants to India: What does it mean for India?

KAKALI DAS

On February 5, a US Military C17 aircraft carrying around 205 individuals alleged to be illegal migrants from India landed in Amritsar.

This marks the first such flight to India during Donald Trump’s second term.

The move is part of the Trump Administration’s intensified immigration crackdown, with the US military playing an increasingly significant role in deportations.

United States & Trump Deported Illegal Immigrants to India: What does it mean for India?

Many families in India are left unaware of their relatives’ return. A distressed family member shared that they had received no prior notice about the deportation. One relative of a deportee claimed they had not heard from their son, daughter-in-law, or grandchild. Some of those deported have reportedly stated their intention to return to the US.

The Pentagon has begun using military aircraft to transport undocumented migrants detained in border states like Texas and California. So far, U.S. military flights have deported migrants to Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras. The recent deportation to India marks the first under Trump’s second term, signaling a shift in how the U.S. is addressing illegal migration from South Asia. The Trump administration is ramping up deportation efforts at an unprecedented pace.

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The Pentagon is now assisting in the removal of over 5,000 immigrants detained by U.S. authorities in El Paso, Texas, and San Diego, California.

Why is this happening now? What does it mean for undocumented Indians in the United States, and how will it impact illegal immigration?

Between October 2023 and September 2024, the U.S. reported over 1,100 illegal Indian immigrants. The U.S. has identified approximately 18,000 Indian nationals residing in the country without legal status. Globally, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security conducted 495 repatriation flights during the 2023-24 period, returning around 160,000 individuals to 145 countries, including India.

But this may be just the beginning. Trump has emphasized that immigration enforcement is his top domestic priority. He has pledged to deport one million undocumented migrants within a year, averaging around 2,750 per day.

So why is the U.S. deporting more Indians? Illegal migration from India to the United States has increased in recent years. In 2023-24, U.S. border officials recorded 19,415 attempts by Indian nationals to enter the country without authorization. Most of these crossings occur at the northern U.S. border with Canada. Indians now make up about 3% of all unauthorized crossings into the U.S., surpassing other Asian groups like Filipinos, according to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

But why are more Indians attempting to enter the U.S. illegally? The main reasons are economic difficulties and restrictive visa policies. Many are unable to obtain work visas or student permits and resort to irregular routes instead. Despite the increase in illegal migration, Indians still dominate the number of illegal skilled worker visa holders in the United States.

In 2023, Indian nationals received approximately 78% of H-1B visas, accounting for about 207,000 out of 265,777 issued. The H-1B visa program plays a crucial role in key U.S. industries such as technology, engineering, and medicine.

Meanwhile, India has signaled its willingness to collaborate with the Trump administration on deportations. New Delhi’s priority is to ensure that Trump’s immigration crackdown does not disrupt legal migration pathways for Indian workers and students.

Indian officials have informed their American counterparts that they will accept Indian citizens who entered the U.S. illegally. This is a low-cost concession for India, provided that the deportations do not result in restrictions on legal visas.

However, India has one major concern: it does not want the Trump administration to turn these deportations into a high-profile public spectacle. If Trump uses these removals as a political tool, it could provoke backlash in India and complicate domestic politics.

For now, the Ministry of External Affairs has described these deportations as a routine matter, part of regular consular dialogue and arrangements between the two countries. Trump’s push for mass deportations is already encountering resistance in the U.S. In 2024, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed 271,484 undocumented migrants.

Reports suggest that ICE field officers have been given daily targets for arresting illegal migrants, raising concerns about indiscriminate crackdowns. Many low-wage workers are now avoiding jobs and public places out of fear of being detained. Some U.S. states have already filed legal challenges against Trump’s immigration orders. However, analysts argue that Trump is not focused on legal obstacles; his primary goal is to send a strong message to his voter base ahead of the next election.

So what does this mean for Indians in the United States? It is estimated that 725,000 undocumented Indians are living in the U.S., with only 20,000 identified for deportation so far. However, Trump’s policies could put many more at risk.

At the same time, India’s biggest concern is not just illegal migration, but also legal immigration. Over 350,000 Indian students are currently studying in the United States, mostly in STEM fields. Between October 2022 and September 2023, 72% of all H-1B work visas issued went to Indian nationals. The top four Indian IT companies in the U.S.—Infosys, TCS, HCL, and Wipro—secured approvals for 20,000 H-1B workers.

For now, Trump has publicly expressed support for the H-1B visa program. In December, he stated that he believes in the H-1B program and that the U.S. needs highly competent and skilled workers. However, with his hard-line stance on immigration, the question remains: will this policy stay unchanged?

India has agreed to cooperate with Trump’s administration on deporting illegal migrants. Trump’s immigration crackdown is in full swing, with military planes now transporting deportees out of the country. The fate of hundreds of thousands of undocumented Indians in the U.S. remains uncertain. Legal migration, particularly H-1B and student visas, remains a top priority for India. For now, India is balancing cooperation with Trump while ensuring that legal migration pathways remain open.

But with Trump intensifying his immigration agenda, how long will this balance be maintained?

06-02-2025

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