The Indian government has identified 18,000 Indian nationals living in the United States illegally and is working on their repatriation as part of efforts to ease tensions under former President Donald Trump’s administration, according to a report by Bloomberg. This move signals India’s attempt to strengthen bilateral ties and safeguard its interests amid Trump’s focus on immigration policies.
Bloomberg sources revealed that Indian authorities are collaborating with their US counterparts to pinpoint undocumented Indian immigrants for deportation. This cooperation aims to show India’s willingness to work closely with the Trump administration, particularly in preserving legal immigration avenues for its citizens.
President Trump’s tenure was marked by stringent immigration policies, including declaring a national emergency over border security and deploying troops to the US-Mexico border. His administration’s actions created pressure on countries with significant undocumented populations in the US.
While Indian authorities have identified 18,000 undocumented immigrants so far, sources noted that this figure likely underrepresents the actual number. The Pew Research Center estimates approximately 725,000 undocumented Indian immigrants reside in the US, ranking them as the third-largest group of unauthorized immigrants, following nationals from Mexico and El Salvador.
The strategy to identify and repatriate undocumented Indian immigrants has been characterized as a gesture to appease Trump as he entered office. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is widely regarded as maintaining a strong personal rapport with Trump, with both leaders often referring to each other as “great friends.” Despite their camaraderie, Trump’s America-first trade policies included threats of substantial tariffs on Indian goods, a potential economic blow India aims to avoid.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs did not officially confirm the 18,000 deportation figure but acknowledged ongoing collaboration with the US to address illegal immigration. Randhir Jaiswal, a ministry spokesperson, stated, “As part of India-US cooperation on migration and mobility, both sides are engaged in a process to deter illegal migration. This is being done to create more avenues for legal migration from India to the US.”
Jaiswal noted that the deportation process was already underway. In October, a flight carrying over 100 undocumented Indian nationals returned from the US, and more than 1,000 individuals have been repatriated in the past year.
One of India’s primary concerns is protecting the H-1B visa program, a vital pathway for skilled Indian workers seeking employment in the US, particularly in technology and engineering. In 2023, Indians accounted for nearly 75% of all H-1B visas issued. These visas are critical for Indians pursuing career opportunities in the US, offering a pathway to better prospects and financial stability.
Despite its importance to Indian workers, the H-1B program has faced criticism from certain quarters in the US. Some Republican lawmakers have argued that the visa scheme allows foreign nationals to take high-paying jobs that should be reserved for Americans. Trump initially criticized the program as “very, very bad” for US workers. However, his stance softened over time, and he later described it as a “great program.”
Prominent figures in Trump’s circle have also supported the H-1B visa program. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and a significant contributor to Trump’s campaign, has expressed his approval of the scheme, underscoring its value for attracting skilled talent.
Amid fears of widespread deportations under Trump’s immigration policies, Modi’s administration’s proactive approach to deport undocumented immigrants is viewed as an effort to prevent large-scale expulsions of Indian nationals by US authorities. Such an event could have caused significant embarrassment for India.
The India-US relationship has been on a positive trajectory, with both nations emphasizing stronger ties as a counterbalance to China’s growing influence. Although the Biden administration has also prioritized deepening ties with India, bilateral relations have faced challenges, including accusations against India regarding an alleged extrajudicial killing on US soil.
Since Trump’s 2016 election victory, India has consistently sought to demonstrate its commitment to working closely with his administration. Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar echoed this sentiment late last year, stating, “I know today a lot of countries are nervous about the US, let’s be honest about it. We are not one of them.”
India’s cooperation on immigration issues aligns with its broader strategy to maintain robust ties with the US while ensuring the protection of its citizens’ interests.