In a significant development, an India-bound US C-17 military aircraft carrying approximately 200 deported illegal Indian migrants departed from Texas earlier today. This marks the first major crackdown on illegal Indian immigrants by US President Donald Trump since assuming office last month.
The deportation follows a series of discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump during their phone call on January 27, ahead of PM Modi’s scheduled visit to Washington on February 13-14.
Since January 24, similar deportation flights have been arranged for Guatemala, Peru, Honduras, and other nations as part of Trump’s aggressive stance on illegal migration—a central theme of his re-election campaign. Within hours of resuming office, Trump moved to eliminate birthright citizenship and deploy military forces along the US-Mexico border to curb illegal crossings.
India’s Response and Commitment to Cooperation
India has proactively expressed its stance against illegal migration while simultaneously pushing for streamlined legal mobility. Former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, in an interview with IANS, reiterated New Delhi’s commitment to cooperating with the US in deporting individuals who have been verified as Indian citizens.
“New Delhi has been proactive in saying that we have no reason to support illegal immigration. At the same time, there is a push from the US side to streamline legal migration, which is a crucial avenue for Indian talent,” Shringla stated. He also emphasized that the conversation with the US should include discussions on easier access to H-1B visas and green cards.
Following the January 27 phone call, President Trump expressed confidence that India would “do what’s right” regarding the deportation of illegal migrants. The discussion between the two leaders also covered security and trade, with the White House describing the exchange as “productive.”
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s position, stating that New Delhi has always been open to the legitimate return of Indian nationals living illegally abroad, including in the US.
“If we are sure that they are our citizens, we have always been open to their legitimate return to India. This is not a position unique to the US,” Jaishankar told reporters in Washington last month. He conveyed this stance clearly to newly appointed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Rising Numbers of Illegal Indian Migrants in the US
According to data from the US Customs and Border Protection, over 90,000 Indians crossed into the US illegally during the 2022-23 period.
In the US fiscal year 2024, which ended in September, more than 1,000 Indian nationals were repatriated via chartered and commercial flights, as reported by then Assistant Secretary at the US Department of Homeland Security, Royce Bernstein Murray.
The trend of deportations to India has been growing, with a notable instance in October 2024 when US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported a group of Indian nationals using a chartered flight. The US Department of Homeland Security confirmed that these deportations were conducted in collaboration with the Indian government.
India has been actively working with US authorities to verify and accept its deported nationals. This cooperation signals New Delhi’s intent to strengthen bilateral ties with Washington while avoiding potential friction on the issue.
Balancing Deportation with Legal Migration Opportunities
The Indian government has made it clear that it opposes illegal migration, particularly due to its links to organized crime. However, it remains keen on expanding legal pathways for Indian nationals seeking employment and education opportunities in the US.
“As part of India-US migration and mobility cooperation, both sides are engaged in a process to deter illegal migration while creating more avenues for legal migration from India to the US,” said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, on January 31. He added that the government must conduct thorough nationality verification before accepting deportees.
India is also advocating for the protection of legal immigration channels, such as student visas and the H-1B visa program for skilled workers. In 2023, Indian citizens accounted for nearly 75% of the 386,000 H-1B visas granted by the US.
During his visit to Washington, EAM Jaishankar stressed the importance of legal mobility, stating that India supports a global workplace where Indian talent can thrive.
“As a government, we strongly support legal mobility because we believe in a global workforce. We want Indian talent and skills to have maximum opportunities at an international level,” Jaishankar said.
He also raised concerns about the long wait times for US visas, arguing that delays hinder the bilateral relationship.
“If it takes over 400 days to get a visa, it does not serve the interests of our relationship. I conveyed this clearly to Secretary Rubio, and he acknowledged the issue,” Jaishankar noted.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation
India’s proactive approach to facilitating the return of illegal Indian migrants aligns with its broader strategy to maintain strong ties with the Trump administration. By addressing one of Washington’s key concerns, New Delhi hopes to secure greater cooperation on issues such as trade, mobility, and defense partnerships.
As PM Modi prepares for his upcoming visit to Washington, discussions are expected to expand beyond deportation policies, encompassing trade relations, security collaborations, and efforts to ease visa restrictions for skilled Indian professionals.
The evolving US-India migration policy will be closely watched in the coming months, as both nations work toward a balanced approach that curbs illegal migration while fostering legal avenues for Indian professionals and students.