The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Friday the deportation of several Indian nationals who had been living in the country illegally. A chartered flight carrying these individuals departed for India on October 22, marking a significant step in ongoing efforts to tackle illegal immigration. While the exact number of deportees was not disclosed, the operation was carried out in collaboration with Indian authorities.
Surge in Illegal Immigration Attempts from India
The announcement comes amid a sharp increase in illegal immigration attempts from India. According to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), nearly 90,415 Indian nationals attempted to enter the US without proper documentation between October 2023 and September 2024. This figure highlights the persistent challenge posed by unauthorized immigration from India.
DHS Urges Caution Against Smugglers’ False Promises
Kristie A. Canegallo, Acting Deputy Secretary of DHS, issued a stern warning, stating that “Indian nationals without a legal basis to remain in the United States are subject to swift removal.” She also cautioned would-be migrants about the deceptive tactics of human smugglers, urging them to avoid falling victim to false promises of safe passage to the US.
Emphasis on Legal Migration and Repatriation Efforts
DHS has outlined its commitment to reducing illegal immigration through both repatriation efforts and the promotion of legal migration pathways. The department noted that since the implementation of the Securing the Border Presidential Proclamation in June 2024, encounters at unauthorized border crossings in the southwestern US have dropped by 55%.
In addition to Indian deportations, the US has also carried out expulsions of individuals from other countries, including Colombia, Egypt, Peru, and China. Over 160,000 deportations were conducted in fiscal year 2024 alone, part of the broader push to curb irregular migration and combat transnational smuggling.
International Cooperation on Immigration Enforcement
DHS continues to collaborate closely with international partners, including India, to ensure the prompt return of citizens who are unlawfully present in the US. This cooperation is aimed at strengthening border security, promoting legal migration channels, and addressing the global challenge of illegal immigration.
As the US ramps up its deportation efforts, officials are stressing the importance of following legal immigration processes and avoiding the dangerous and often fraudulent routes offered by human traffickers.
