New Delhi, 23 January 2025: India is set to verify the identities of approximately 18,000 individuals listed as living illegally in the United States, a document shared by US authorities reveals.
“If confirmed as Indian nationals, they will be accepted back,” Indian officials stated.
The Donald Trump administration, which campaigned on cracking down on illegal immigration, has prioritized deportation efforts, including plans to repatriate thousands of Indian nationals.
Sources estimate the total number of potential deportations could escalate to 200,000 as additional cases of undocumented immigrants come to light.
Significant proportions of these individuals are believed to hail from states such as Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat, reflecting long-standing migration patterns from these regions to the US.
Indian officials clarified that the verification and repatriation process is part of an ongoing commitment to address irregular immigration. “India has consistently opposed illegal immigration and will accept back those verified as Indian nationals, provided their documents are in order,” an official source mentioned.
The issue was raised during a meeting between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday.
The US State Department later stated that Rubio conveyed a desire to collaborate with India on strengthening economic ties while addressing concerns over irregular immigration.
India’s handling of deportation cases may have implications for the broader legal immigration framework.
Any delays or perceived reluctance on New Delhi’s part could potentially affect the issuance of student visas and H-1B visas, two vital avenues for Indian immigrants.
According to official US data, Indians made up nearly three-fourths of the 386,000 H-1B visas granted in 2023.
New Delhi has previously advocated for legal immigration pathways while opposing irregular routes.
The Trump administration’s focus on illegal immigration has remained central to its policies.
Within hours of taking office, President Trump initiated measures such as mobilizing troops to the US-Mexico border and attempting to end birthright citizenship, reflecting his commitment to these campaign promises.
