As the United States gears up for the elections on November 5, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has intensified efforts to deport undocumented individuals, including a significant number of Indian nationals. On October 22, a chartered flight facilitated the return of many Indians who lacked the appropriate documentation to reside in the U.S.
According to an official statement from the DHS, this operation involved a large-frame charter removal flight organized by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to repatriate Indian nationals without legal grounds to stay in the country. The DHS highlighted its ongoing collaboration with the Indian government and other international partners to discourage irregular migration and combat human smuggling.
Kristie A. Canegallo, the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, stressed that Indian nationals without legitimate reasons for remaining in the U.S. are “subject to swift removal.” She cautioned potential migrants against believing smugglers’ false promises regarding immigration processes.
The DHS emphasized its commitment to enforcing U.S. immigration laws and swiftly repatriating those who enter the country illegally. The agency has seen a significant increase in removal flight operations, with over 495 foreign repatriation flights conducted to more than 145 countries, including India, resulting in the removal or return of more than 160,000 individuals since June 2024.
The DHS reported a 55 percent decrease in unauthorized immigration attempts at the southwest border since the implementation of the Securing the Border Presidential Proclamation and related Interim Final Rule in June 2024. During the previous year, the U.S. saw a surge in illegal migration attempts by Indian nationals, with 25,616 Indians attempting to cross from Mexico and 43,764 from Canada between October 2023 and September 2024. Many others likely overstayed their visas or arrived by air.
Data from U.S. authorities indicates that over 186,000 Indian individuals have made illegal migration attempts to the United States in the past two years. The year 2023 saw the highest number of Indian nationals, 96,917, attempting to enter the U.S. illegally, a sharp increase from the 30,662 attempts recorded in 2021.
In a related political context, former President Donald Trump recently criticized Vice President Kamala Harris at a rally in Austin, Texas, for her immigration policies, claiming that Texas has become “ground zero for the largest border invasion in the history of the world.” Trump’s assertions, lacking evidence, have drawn scrutiny as he continues his campaign for the presidency.
As the DHS continues to enforce immigration laws rigorously, both political and social ramifications of these deportations are likely to resonate leading up to the elections.
Sources By Agencies
