Trump administration plans largest deportation drive: Nearly 18,000 Indians on list
India ranks third in terms of unauthorised immigrant populations in US | Efforts to deport undocumented people have already begun
PTC Web Desk: As US President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office on January 20, 2025, his administration is gearing up for what is being touted as the largest deportation operation in American history. The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has identified approximately 1.5 million people for deportation, among whom nearly 18,000 are undocumented Indian nationals.
According to ICE’s November 2024 data, 17,940 Indians are on the non-detained docket with final removal orders. India ranks third in terms of unauthorised immigrant populations in the US, with around 725,000 undocumented Indian nationals residing in the country, following Mexico and El Salvador, as per the Pew Research Centre.
Efforts to deport undocumented people have already begun. On October 22, 2024, the US government, in coordination with Indian authorities, arranged a chartered flight to repatriate Indian nationals staying illegally. This marks one of several steps being taken to address illegal immigration in the lead-up to Trump's presidency.
Thousands of undocumented Indians face challenges in legalising their immigration status in the US. Many have been waiting for years to receive clearance from ICE. Over the last three fiscal years, an average of 90,000 Indian nationals have been apprehended attempting to cross US borders illegally.
Despite these efforts, India's cooperation with the deportation process has been called into question. ICE has described India "uncooperative" due to delays in confirming the citizenship of individuals and issuing necessary travel documents.
India is one of 15 nations classified by ICE as "uncooperative" or at risk of non-compliance in handling deportation cases. This group includes countries such as Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, and Venezuela. According to ICE, non-cooperation often involves delays in conducting interviews, issuing travel documents, or accepting nationals through scheduled flights.