As the United States prepares for the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on 20th January, data from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) highlights the precarious situation of nearly 18,000 undocumented Indians facing deportation. These individuals are among 1.445 million with final orders of removal, reflecting the broader challenges of illegal immigration in the country.
According to ICE statistics, 17,940 undocumented Indians await deportation, ranking India 13th among 208 countries with citizens in the US without legal status. The list includes nations like Honduras and Guatemala, with India being one of the few Asian countries alongside China, which has 37,908 undocumented nationals in the US.
For many undocumented Indians, obtaining legal status is a daunting task. Lengthy legal proceedings mean hearings are often scheduled years into the future. Over the past three years, ICE has apprehended an average of 90,000 Indian nationals annually attempting to enter the US illegally. A significant number of these individuals hail from Punjab, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh—regions known for high migration rates.
Complicating matters, ICE has labelled India as “uncooperative” due to delays in verifying citizenship and issuing travel documents for deportation. The US expects countries to confirm the nationality of their citizens, conduct interviews, and facilitate their return through commercial or charter flights. India is among 15 nations classified as uncooperative, alongside Pakistan, China, Iran, and Venezuela.
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ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) division is tasked with enforcing immigration laws, focusing on the detention and deportation of non-citizens violating US immigration rules. In a recent statement, ICE emphasised its priority on national security and public safety, with operations adapting to surges in border crossings, legislative changes, or crises like pandemics and natural disasters.
The incoming Trump administration has signalled a hard-line stance on immigration. Trump has vowed to prioritise the deportation of individuals with final removal orders, framing illegal immigration as a national security concern. He has also suggested involving the military in deportation efforts, underscoring his administration’s commitment to stricter enforcement.
Trump’s immigration policy also includes measures to reduce both legal and illegal immigration, a continuation of his earlier pledges. For undocumented Indians in the US, the intensifying efforts pose a significant challenge, as they navigate complex legal systems and face uncertain futures.
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