As the United States gears up for the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President on January 20, 2025, immigration concerns have resurfaced with alarming intensity. Recent data from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reveals that nearly 18,000 undocumented Indians are set to face deportation. This figure places India in the spotlight amid heightened scrutiny of immigration policies under the incoming administration.
Undocumented Indians and the Legal Challenges They Face
Among the 1.445 million individuals with final orders of removal, 17,940 are Indian nationals. These individuals are part of a larger group of undocumented immigrants who face significant legal hurdles in attempting to regularize their status. Many remain caught in a web of lengthy legal proceedings, with some court dates scheduled years in advance.
Over the past three financial years, ICE reported an average of 90,000 Indian nationals apprehended while attempting to cross US borders illegally. Experts note that many of these individuals hail from Indian states like Punjab, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh, regions with high migration rates driven by economic aspirations and familial ties abroad.
India’s Position Among ICE’s Immigration Statistics
India ranks 13th among 208 nations with undocumented immigrants in the US, a list led by Honduras and Guatemala, with 261,000 and 253,000 undocumented individuals, respectively. India is one of the few Asian nations on this list, alongside China, which has 37,908 undocumented nationals in the US.
However, the deportation process involving Indian nationals is fraught with complications. ICE has categorized India as “uncooperative,” citing delays in verifying citizenship and issuing travel documents. These bureaucratic inefficiencies have stalled the deportation of several individuals. India is one of 15 nations deemed uncooperative, sharing this classification with countries like Pakistan, China, and Venezuela.
Trump’s Tougher Stance on Immigration
President-elect Donald Trump has consistently voiced his commitment to strict immigration enforcement. His administration plans to prioritize the expedited removal of undocumented immigrants, including the 18,000 Indians currently identified for deportation.
In a recent interview, Trump referred to illegal immigration as an “invasion,” emphasizing his intent to deploy federal resources to address the issue. “I consider it an invasion of our country,” Trump said, reiterating his willingness to use the National Guard to enforce immigration laws within the legal constraints of the Posse Comitatus Act. This law, enacted in 1878, limits the use of military personnel in domestic law enforcement.
Trump’s proposed measures align with his broader immigration agenda, which includes curbing both legal and illegal migration. He has doubled down on these plans since securing reelection in November 2024, presenting immigration control as a matter of national security.
Deportation Concerns Amid Stricter Policies
The Trump administration’s focus on deportations has raised concerns among undocumented communities, particularly those from India. Many individuals and families fear separation and upheaval as they navigate an increasingly stringent immigration landscape. With Trump’s second term set to begin, the future remains uncertain for the nearly 18,000 undocumented Indians in the US.
