Stricter immigration policies are set to take effect as US President-elect Donald Trump prepares to assume office in the coming month.
The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has compiled a list of 1.45 million individuals slated for deportation, including 18,000 undocumented Indians. Over the past three years, approximately 90,000 Indians have been apprehended attempting to enter the United States illegally, with most coming from states such as Punjab, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh, according to a report by The Times of India.
For many undocumented Indians, the path to legalizing their status is fraught with challenges, including bureaucratic hurdles that can result in waiting periods of up to two or three years.
However, India is far from being the leading source of undocumented immigrants in the US. Neighboring countries like Honduras and Guatemala top the list, with 261,000 and 253,000 undocumented individuals, respectively. Among Asian countries, China ranks highest with 37,908 undocumented immigrants, while India occupies the 13th spot with 17,940 individuals.
India has also been classified as one of the “uncooperative” nations in the deportation process, a designation shared with countries like Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, and Venezuela. This classification stems from issues such as delays in conducting interviews, issuing travel documents, and accepting the physical return of nationals in accordance with ICE guidelines. Such a stance could further strain diplomatic relations.
With Trump promising to oversee the largest deportation operation in American history, thousands of undocumented Indians with final orders of removal face the prospect of being sent back to India.