India emphasizes the importance of legal migration amid rising deportations from the US.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has reported that 2,417 Indian nationals have been deported from the United States since the beginning of the year. This announcement reflects the Indian government’s stance on migration, which emphasizes the promotion of legal pathways. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated that India stands firmly against illegal migration.
Jaiswal elaborated that the process of deportation involves thorough background checks to confirm the citizenship of individuals claiming to be Indian nationals. This procedure is crucial to ensuring that only genuine citizens are accepted back into India following deportation from the US. He indicated that this protocol has been consistently applied in recent deportation cases.
Furthermore, Jaiswal highlighted the collaborative efforts of several Union ministries and state governments aimed at combating visa fraud and disrupting the activities of agents involved in facilitating illegal migration. In light of recent events, the MEA has been issuing advisories to Indian nationals, cautioning them against employment opportunities that may lead to illegal immigration, particularly in regions such as Southeast Asia and Iran.
The backdrop to these deportations includes tightened immigration regulations under the Donald Trump administration in the US. Notably, the US government has, in certain instances, utilized military aircraft to repatriate undocumented migrants. This practice has drawn criticism from the Opposition in India, especially after videos emerged showing Indian deportees being shackled aboard military flights.
In response to the backlash, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the Rajya Sabha on February 6, clarifying that such measures of shackling were consistent with established procedures from previous administrations. The MEA has stated that it has not received any complaints regarding the treatment of deportees following February 5, indicating a lack of reported issues concerning their conditions during repatriation.
On May 19, the US Department of State announced new visa restrictions targeting individuals associated with Indian travel agencies that have been identified as knowingly facilitating illegal immigration to the United States. This move reflects ongoing concerns about undocumented migration, with a 2022 report from the US Department of Homeland Security estimating that approximately 220,000 undocumented Indian migrants are currently residing in the country.
These developments underscore the complex nature of migration between India and the United States, highlighting the challenges faced by individuals seeking to navigate legal and illegal pathways in pursuit of better opportunities abroad.
