The Indian government is taking steps to repatriate 18,000 illegal immigrants from the US as part of a broader effort to ease diplomatic pressures under the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration policies. According to sources who spoke to Bloomberg, the Indian government is working closely with US authorities to identify undocumented Indian nationals for deportation, showcasing its willingness to align with the US’s tough stance on illegal immigration. This move comes in response to President Donald Trump’s executive actions, which include the declaration of a national border emergency and the mobilization of troops along the US-Mexico border, both aimed at addressing illegal immigration.
While the identified number of 18,000 represents only a fraction of the total, sources suggest that the true number of undocumented Indian immigrants living in the US may be significantly higher. According to the Pew Research Center, an estimated 725,000 undocumented Indian nationals currently reside in the US, making them the third-largest group of unauthorized immigrants in the country, after those from Mexico and El Salvador. The Indian government’s focus on repatriating these individuals reflects its desire to maintain diplomatic ties with the Trump administration while simultaneously ensuring that legal immigration channels, such as the H-1B work visa program and student visas, are preserved for Indian citizens.
This cooperative effort marks a significant move in India’s immigration policy as it navigates the changing dynamics under the Trump administration, aiming to address illegal immigration concerns while safeguarding the interests of its legal immigrant population.