The Risk of Deportation Looms for 18,000 Undocumented Indians in the U.S. Under Trump Administration
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, nearly 18,000 undocumented Indians face the risk of deportation in the United States. Data from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) highlights that 17,940 Indians are among the 1.445 million individuals with final orders of removal. Many of these individuals hail from high-migration states such as Punjab, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh.
The challenges for undocumented Indians are multifaceted. Securing legal status often involves prolonged legal proceedings, with some hearings scheduled years in the future. Adding to their predicament is ICE’s designation of India as "uncooperative." This label stems from delays in verifying citizenship and issuing travel documents for deportation. Such cooperation is a critical step for ICE, which expects nations to facilitate the repatriation of their citizens.
ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) focuses on identifying, arresting, detaining, and deporting individuals who violate U.S. immigration laws. The incoming Trump administration has pledged to ramp up deportation efforts, prioritizing individuals with final removal orders. Trump’s proposed policies include utilizing the U.S. military for deportations and framing illegal immigration as a national security concern.
The apprehension rate of Indian nationals has been significant, with ICE detaining an average of 90,000 Indians annually over the past three years while attempting illegal entry. India ranks 13th on ICE’s list of undocumented immigrants, following countries like Honduras and Guatemala. This underscores the scale of migration and the challenges faced by Indian nationals.
The Trump administration’s renewed focus on immigration enforcement highlights the urgent need for a collaborative approach between India and the U.S. to address delays and procedural bottlenecks. For many undocumented individuals, the fear of deportation adds uncertainty to their lives as they await legal resolutions.
Refrence From: www.ndtv.com