- By Nidhi Giri
- Wed, 22 Jan 2025 11:06 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Indian government is ready to work with President Donald Trump’s administration to identify and take back all its citizens residing illegally in the United States, Bloomberg reported, citing sources. India does not want the issue of illegal citizens to affect programs like H-1B visa and student visa. It is an early signal from New Delhi that it’s willing to comply with Trump and avoid a trade war. The crackdown on illegal migration has been a signature campaign pledge for Trump.
The Trump administration is targeting criminals along the southern border with Mexico who have entered the country without relevant documents. There are more than 20,000 Indians in the US who are residing without any documents. Such Indians are facing deportation orders or are currently in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centres.
According to data, there are 2,047 Indians living in the US without any document by 2024. Of these, 17,940 are under final removal orders and another 2,467 are in custody under ICE enforcement and removal operations.
7,25,000 Indian immigrants are living in America without valid documents. At the same time, 1.4 crore people are living illegally in America.
Indian Government's Take
India has said that the movement of skilled professionals is an important part of India-US ties and benefits both countries amid a debate over H-1B visas. India is known for its massive pool of IT professionals, many of whom work across the world, accounts for the bulk of H-1B visas issued by the United States.
The report by Bloomberg added that the two countries have together identified some 18,000 Indian migrants who are in the US illegally and could be sent back home.
"Secretary Rubio also emphasized the Trump Administration's desire to work with India to advance economic ties and address concerns related to irregular migration," the State Department said in a statement.
According to US government data, 3,86,000 people were granted H-1B visas in 2023, of which about three-quarters are Indian citizens. India ranks very low in terms of illegal immigrants living in the US.
Trump’s Action On Immigrants
President Donald Trump came into action soon after taking office Monday and announced new restrictions on immigration and asylum in the United States. Minutes after his inauguration, an app unveiled under former president Joe Biden to help process asylum seekers went offline. As per, US media reports, around 30,000 people had appointments scheduled. Trump clearly mentioned that he will send troops to the US-Mexico border and attempt to end birthright citizenship.
Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border and used a careening press conference in the Oval Office to announce the controversial order seeking to revoke the right of US nationality to anyone born in America.