In an effort to align with the new Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration, India is planning to repatriate its citizens living illegally in the United States. This move comes as Trump seeks to fulfill his promise of restricting immigration and deporting individuals residing in the country without proper documentation.
According to a Bloomberg report, around 18,000 Indians have been identified for deportation, citing unnamed sources. However, the total number of Indians living illegally in the U.S., including those without proper documentation, remains uncertain, which could potentially increase this figure.
The Trump administration’s swift actions to address immigration have left many individuals living without proper status, as well as those on temporary visas, in a state of uncertainty. Shortly after taking office, Trump halted the CBP One app, which had facilitated legal entry for immigrants by granting work eligibility, and also moved to end birthright citizenship. He further declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, deploying troops to restrict illegal migrant entry.
Indian immigrants in the US
Indians represent one of the largest diaspora communities in the U.S., with a significant portion of the H-1B visa holders, which allows employers to hire workers for specialized jobs. In 2023, Indians secured three-fourths of the 386,000 H-1B visas issued, according to official data. However, when it comes to illegal immigration, India ranks behind the U.S.’s immediate neighbors, such as Mexico and Venezuela.
The reported figure of 18,000 Indians identified for deportation aligns with numbers released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last year. According to data shared by ICE in November 2024, approximately 17,940 Indians were among the 1.45 million people slated for deportation. This includes individuals with final orders of removal who are not in ICE custody but are awaiting deportation.
The report also revealed that India ranks 13th among Asian countries contributing to the number of undocumented immigrants, with China leading the list with 37,908 individuals.
