The U.S. Has Deported 1,080 Indians So Far This Year
Migrants being deported from the U.S. X/ @Aismindiia
May 29, 2025 Hour: 12:49 pm
Between 2019 and 2022, Indian nationals were the third-largest group of unauthorized immigrants in the United States.
On Thursday, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, confirmed that his country has repatriated 1,080 Indian nationals deported from the United States so far this year.
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“We maintain close cooperation between India and the United States on migration issues,” he said, adding that 62% of those repatriated returned on commercial flights.
The Indian government proceeds with repatriation after verifying the nationality of individuals who are either in the U.S. without proper documentation or who entered the country illegally.
The announcement comes after months of diplomatic tension and coordination related to the U.S. government’s expedited removal processes, which have affected thousands of undocumented immigrants of Indian origin. U.S. authorities have identified at least 18,000 Indian nationals living in the country without legal status since the start of the expedited deportation initiative.
India, which has repeatedly expressed its willingness to accept the return of its citizens, has also raised concerns about the treatment of some deportees. According to Indian officials, some individuals have been forced to wear shackles and have had their religious practices violated during deportation flights.
Migration cooperation has become a key pillar of the bilateral relationship between the two countries, particularly following the stricter immigration policies enacted under President Donald Trump. His administration imposed sanctions on Indian travel agencies accused of facilitating the so-called “donkey route,” a method of irregular entry into the U.S.
While India opposes illegal migration, it has emphasized the importance of protecting legal pathways—such as student visas—to ensure the safe and orderly movement of its citizens.
Between 2019 and 2022, Indian nationals were the third-largest group of unauthorized immigrants in the United States, behind only those from Mexico and El Salvador, with an estimated population of more than 700,000, according to a study by the Pew Research Center.
teleSUR/ JF
Source: EFE
