US deports first group of undocumented Indian migrants: Bloomberg
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While the exact figure of Indians living without legal status in the US remains unclear, a report by the Department of Homeland Security estimated the number at around 220,000 as of 2022.
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A military aircraft waits for migrants to board from a bus at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Tx., Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, before deporting them to Guatemala (AP Photo/Christian Chavez)
Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that the United States has begun deporting undocumented Indian migrants, marking the first such removal since President Donald Trump resumed office. An aircraft carrying approximately 200 Indian nationals who were residing illegally in the US is scheduled to arrive in Amritsar, Punjab, on Wednesday, according to sources familiar with the matter. These individuals requested anonymity as the details of the operation have not been made public.
Amid growing pressure from Washington, India has been working discreetly to tackle Trump's immigration policies and mitigate potential trade repercussions.
In recent weeks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has made several policy concessions aligned with the White House's priorities. Modi is also expected to visit Washington next week, where discussions with Trump may further shape bilateral relations.
Indians are being deported from America - the same country where they held Tricolor rallies, where there was a new wave of patriotism, where religious ceremonies (yagnas) were being performed for Trump's victory. How cruel this is. And those who were taking credit for NRIs...cont pic.twitter.com/R9AYamG2kL
— Kumar Sahil (@KumarSahil30) February 4, 2025
India's Ministry of External Affairs has not issued a formal statement on the matter. However, Bloomberg previously reported that New Delhi has expressed a willingness to accept the return of 18,000 undocumented Indian migrants from the US.
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While the exact figure of Indians living without legal status in the US remains unclear, a report by the Department of Homeland Security estimated the number at around 220,000 as of 2022. Since taking office, Trump has intensified immigration enforcement, urging federal and local authorities to accelerate detentions and deportations. His administration has also deployed military personnel to the US-Mexico border and resumed deportation flights.
