India to Repatriate 18,000 Undocumented Immigrants from US

The Indian government has reportedly identified 18,000 undocumented Indian immigrants in the United States for deportation as part of efforts to align with Donald Trump’s Administration, The Guardian reported, quoting Bloomberg.
The collaboration, viewed as a strategy to appease Trump, is part of a broader effort to tackle irregular migration, a key focus of the US President. Early executive actions by Trump included declaring a state of emergency and deploying troops along the US-Mexico border.
India’s proactive stance on repatriating its citizens is also seen as an attempt to protect the H-1B visa program, which is crucial for skilled Indian workers seeking opportunities in technology and engineering sectors in the US.
Randhir Jaiswal, a spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, stated, “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.”
Jaiswal noted that the process is well underway, referencing a deportation flight in October that repatriated over 100 undocumented Indian immigrants. He also revealed that over 1,000 individuals have been returned to India in the past year. However, while the Indian government has acknowledged its efforts to curb irregular migration, it has not confirmed the 18,000 deportation figure reported by Bloomberg.
While Indian authorities have identified 18,000 undocumented citizens in the US, the actual number is believed to be significantly higher. The Pew Research Center estimates there are around 725,000 undocumented Indian immigrants in the US, making them the third-largest group after Mexico and El Salvador.
Modi’s government-led approach is seen as a diplomatic maneuver to maintain favorable ties with Trump. The personal rapport between Narendra Modi and Donald Trump has been highlighted in the past, with both leaders referring to each other as “great friends.”
Yet, India faces potential challenges, including threats of steep trade tariffs under Trump’s “America First” policy, which could severely impact the Indian economy.
The H-1B visa program remains a vital component of India-US relations. Indians accounted for nearly 75% of all H-1B visas issued in 2023. The program has been criticized by some Republicans as detrimental to American workers, although Trump recently softened his stance, referring to the program as “great.”
Trump’s administration has signaled intentions to carry out mass deportation, creating concerns about the embarrassment of large-scale repatriations of Indian nationals. Modi’s government has aimed to preempt such a scenario by initiating deportations themselves, showcasing a willingness to cooperate and address the issue proactively.
Despite the challenges posed by irregular migration, the India-US relationship continues to strengthen, driven by shared geopolitical interests. The Biden Administration had worked to deepen ties with India as a counterbalance to China, though tensions have arisen, including accusations of extrajudicial actions by India on US soil.
India’s Foreign Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, reflected the country’s confidence in its relationship with the US, stating, “I know today a lot of countries are nervous about the US, let’s be honest about it. We are not one of them.”
As India navigates its partnership with the US, addressing irregular migration remains a critical aspect of demonstrating its commitment to the relationship while protecting the interests of its citizens pursuing legal avenues for migration.