India to repatriate 18,000 Migrants living in US Illegally

Narendra Modi’s government is reportedly planning to repatriate 18,000 Indians living illegally in the United States.

India to repatriate 18,000 Migrants living in US Illegally f

"both sides are engaged in a process to deter illegal migration."

According to reports, there are plans to repatriate 18,000 Indians living in the US illegally to ease pressures under Donald Trump.

The Indian government is believed to be collaborating with US authorities to identify undocumented Indian immigrants for deportation.

This is to show a willingness to work closely with the new Trump administration and protect legal immigration visas for Indian citizens.

Most of Trump’s first executive actions have targeted illegal immigration into the US, including declaring a national border emergency and mobilising troops along the US-Mexico border.

Bloomberg reported that 18,000 Indian-origin people living in the US illegally had been identified. However, the number is likely to be much higher.

The Pew Research Centre says there are approximately 725,000 undocumented Indian immigrants in the US, making them the third largest group after those from Mexico and El Salvador.

The move to deport Indian immigrants was described as an attempt to appease Trump as he begins his second term as President.

Narendra Modi is said to have a close relationship with Trump and the pair refer to each other as “great friends”.

However, Trump has also threatened steep trade tariffs for India as part of his America First policy.

This would be crippling for India and the Modi government is thought to be desperate to avoid any trade conflicts.

Randhir Jaiswal, a spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, said:

“As part of India-US cooperation on migration and mobility, both sides are engaged in a process to deter illegal migration.

“This is being done to create more avenues for legal migration from India to the US.”

He emphasised that the process is already underway, citing a deportation flight in October that brought back more than 100 undocumented Indians from the US.

Jaiswal said more than 1,000 people had been brought back over the past year.

One of India’s key priorities is to protect the status of the H-1B visa.

Indians accounted for almost 75% of all H-1B visas given out in 2023, and they are seen as a vital lifeline for Indian workers aspiring to move to the US for better employment prospects.

But some Republicans have claimed that the visas are allowing foreigners to take prestigious jobs that should go to Americans.

Trump initially called them “very, very bad” for US workers but has appeared to support them as of late.

Billionaire Elon Musk has also expressed his support for the H-1B visa.

As Trump threatens mass deportations, the strategy by Modi’s government to lead the deportations was considered to be a move to prevent any potential embarrassment from tens of thousands of Indians being sent home by the US.

Since Trump’s election win in November 2024, Modi’s government has made efforts to show its willingness to work closely with Trump.

Lead Editor Dhiren is our news and content editor who loves all things football. He also has a passion for gaming and watching films. His motto is to "Live life one day at a time".




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