In a recent disclosure made by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), startling figures regarding encounters with illegal Indian immigrants in the United States have come to light. Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan, revealed that US authorities have encountered over 200,000 illegal Indian immigrants in the past five years.
Citing data from the American homeland security, Muraleedharan outlined the progression of these encounters, indicating a notable increase over the years. In the fiscal year 2018-19, 8,027 cases were reported, followed by 1,227 in 2019-20. However, a substantial surge was observed in 2020-21, with 30,662 encounters. The trend continued with 63,927 cases in 2021-22, escalating to a staggering 96,917 reported instances in 2022-23.
The cumulative count of encounters stands at 200,760, highlighting a concerning rise in unauthorized immigration. Notably, the minister emphasized that these figures align with immigration statistics published on the US Customs and Border Protection website, delineating data based on the US fiscal year from October to September.
Addressing the issue of safety and well-being of Indian nationals abroad, Muraleedharan underscored the government’s prioritization of their security. Efforts to regulate overseas employment under the Emigration Act 1983 have been emphasized, accompanied by initiatives aimed at promoting legal migration.
The MEA has implemented various measures to facilitate safe migration, such as the Pravasi Bhartiya Bima Yojna (PBBY) and Pre-Departure Orientation and Training (PDOT). These initiatives aim to ensure decent working and living conditions for migrant workers in destination countries.
Additionally, the ‘Surakshit Jayen Prashikshit Jayen’ (Go Safe, Go Trained) campaign was launched in 2018 to raise awareness among prospective emigrants, further emphasizing the importance of legal migration.
Highlighting India’s efforts to collaborate on migration and mobility partnerships, Muraleedharan mentioned agreements with several countries including France, the UK, Germany, Australia, Austria, Italy, Denmark, Japan, Portugal, Mauritius, and Israel. These partnerships aim to harness India’s demographic dividend and foster cooperative efforts on labor mobility.
Moreover, the ministry is actively engaged in disseminating information on safe and legal migration opportunities to prospective emigrants, collaborating with state governments and relevant stakeholders.
In cases of complaints pertaining to illegal migration or human trafficking, Muraleedharan highlighted the referral process to State police for investigation and prosecution, signifying a concerted effort to address and tackle these issues.
The revelation of these statistics underscores the imperative for enhanced measures to regulate migration, ensure the safety of Indian nationals abroad, and curb unauthorized immigration, marking a pivotal concern for both Indian and US authorities.
Sources By Agencies
