United States President Donald Trump has started executing the promises he made during his election campaign, with a major focus on cracking down on illegal immigration. This has led to the commencement of a mass deportation operation targeting undocumented migrants, with particular attention on Indian nationals. The deportation of Indian migrants, which began on Tuesday, is part of Trump's broader initiative to address the estimated 11 million undocumented migrants living in the U.S.
During his campaign, Trump made it clear that if reelected, his administration would undertake "the largest deportation operation in American history." As part of this plan, military planes are now deporting Indian migrants, with more deportations expected in the coming weeks. These efforts have already been applied to migrants from other Latin American countries, as well. The U.S. Embassy, while declining to confirm specific flight details, has stated that it is enforcing its border control policies and rigorously removing illegal migrants.
Who is Being Deported?
The U.S. government's deportation efforts are focused on individuals living in the country illegally. According to reports, the majority of those being deported were apprehended under the previous administration of Joe Biden, though some individuals are part of the current operation under Trump. The Pentagon has confirmed that over 5,000 migrants, primarily from El Paso, Texas, and San Diego, California, are being deported. These migrants are being flown to various countries in Latin America, including Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras.
How Many Indians Will Be Affected?
India, being one of the countries significantly impacted by this operation, has been identified as home to thousands of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. According to Bloomberg News, around 18,000 Indian migrants are currently residing illegally in the U.S., with the total number of illegal Indian nationals estimated to be much higher. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), at least 20,407 undocumented Indians could be affected by the deportation order. Of these, 17,940 individuals are those with final removal orders, while 2,467 are currently detained under the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Data from the Pew Research Center reveals that the Indian community is the third-largest group of undocumented migrants in the U.S. after Mexico and El Salvador. Around 725,000 illegal immigrants from India are currently believed to be living in the U.S., underscoring the scale of the operation.
Will India Accept Deportees?
India has made it clear that it is open to the legitimate return of Indian nationals residing illegally in the U.S. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has confirmed that India is verifying which individuals can be deported back to India, though the exact number has not yet been determined. Jaishankar emphasized that India has consistently supported the return of its citizens who are in foreign countries illegally, as long as they can be identified as Indian nationals.
Following a discussion with U.S. President Trump, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also stated that India would cooperate with the U.S. on the issue of illegal immigration and take necessary action regarding the return of Indian nationals. Trump has indicated that Modi will "do what's right" concerning the deportation process.
Trump’s Anti-Immigrant Agenda
Trump’s stance on immigration has been a central theme of his political rhetoric. From the very beginning of his campaign, he promised to take a hardline approach to illegal immigration. During his inauguration, he stated that his administration would immediately halt illegal entries into the U.S. and begin sending millions of undocumented migrants back to their countries of origin.
To reinforce his immigration policies, Trump’s administration has taken several significant steps, including shutting down the CBP One mobile application, which allowed migrants to schedule appointments at border entry points. Trump also implemented measures to end birthright citizenship for children born to undocumented immigrants and dismantled refugee programs. In January, he announced plans to build a migrant detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, aiming to hold as many as 30,000 migrants, further reflecting his aggressive stance on immigration enforcement.
Consequences for Countries That Refuse Cooperation
Trump’s administration has made it clear that it is willing to enforce strict measures against any country that refuses to cooperate with the deportation process. Recently, U.S. lawmakers warned that countries that resist the deportation orders could face significant sanctions. For instance, when Colombia initially refused to allow U.S. military planes to land to deport migrants, Trump retaliated by imposing 25% tariffs on all Colombian goods. Colombia subsequently agreed to cooperate, sending its planes to return the deported individuals and averting a potential trade dispute.
In a similar vein, Trump announced the imposition of 25% tariffs on U.S. trading partners, including Canada and Mexico, in response to the continued flow of illegal migrants and drugs across their borders. This move demonstrates the lengths to which Trump is willing to go to ensure the success of his hardline immigration policies.
Trump's actions have reignited debates over immigration, with critics accusing him of using harsh tactics that could disrupt international relations and harm vulnerable communities. However, for Trump and his supporters, this is a necessary step in curbing illegal immigration and reinforcing the U.S.'s immigration laws and policies.
