India’s government is taking proactive steps to address the concerns of the Trump administration regarding illegal immigration, signaling its willingness to cooperate and avert a potential trade conflict. As reported by Bloomberg, the two countries have identified approximately 18,000 Indian nationals living illegally in the US, with plans to facilitate their repatriation. However, this number may be an underestimation, as it remains unclear exactly how many unauthorized Indian migrants reside in the country.
This move comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts by India to maintain good relations with the incoming US administration, which has placed a significant focus on curbing illegal immigration. During his first day in office, President Trump reaffirmed his stance on illegal migration, including measures such as ending birthright citizenship and deploying military forces to secure the US-Mexico border. The Trump administration has also been vocal about its concerns over the number of migrants entering through the US’s northern border.
In exchange for India’s cooperation in repatriating these illegal immigrants, officials hope the Trump administration will protect legal immigration pathways, particularly the student visa and H-1B visa programs. Indian nationals make up nearly three-fourths of the 386,000 H-1B visas granted in 2023, a crucial channel for skilled workers and students entering the US. These efforts are part of a broader Indian strategy to avoid economic consequences, as any perceived failure to comply with US immigration rules could strain the nation’s labor agreements with other countries, such as Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, confirmed that the country is engaged in an ongoing process with the US to curb illegal immigration and open more avenues for legal migration. He referenced a recent instance of cooperation in October, when a chartered flight deported over 100 Indian nationals, a follow-up to the repatriation of more than 1,100 Indian citizens the previous year.
The number of illegal Indian immigrants in the US has seen a steady rise, especially at the less-frequented northern border. According to US Customs and Border Protection data for fiscal 2024, Indians represented almost a quarter of all unlawful crossings at the northern US entry points, a notable increase in recent years. A 2022 Department of Homeland Security report estimated that about 220,000 unauthorized Indian immigrants were living in the US.
This development is not solely motivated by the US’s trade and immigration policies; it also serves a domestic purpose for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. By taking a firm stance on illegal migration, Modi aims to undermine secessionist movements abroad, such as the Khalistan movement, which seeks a separate Sikh state. Some supporters of the movement in the US and Canada are believed to be illegal migrants, and the government is eager to address this issue.
Despite Modi’s generally positive relationship with President Trump, he remains cautious of any abrupt or unpredictable decisions that could escalate into a costly trade war. Trump has frequently criticized India’s high import taxes, suggesting they hurt American businesses, and has threatened retaliatory tariffs. The stakes for India are high as the country navigates this delicate diplomatic balance, and it remains to be seen how the Trump administration will respond to India’s efforts.
