The government of India has expressed its willingness to accept nearly 18,000 citizens living illegally in the USA. This step is being taken to improve relations with President Donald Trump's administration.
According to sources, the governments of India and the USA have jointly identified nearly 18,000 Indian citizens living illegally in the US. However, this number could actually be much higher.
In exchange for such cooperation, India hopes that the new US administration will protect legal immigration channels for Indian citizens, including student visas and the H-1B visa program for skilled workers. In 2023, nearly two-thirds of the 386,000 visas issued under this program went to Indian citizens.
Reports indicate that in the financial year 2024, 1100 Indian citizens living illegally in the USA were deported. This figure shows an increase compared to previous years.
Furthermore, in October 2024, it was reported that the USA deported 160,000 Indian citizens. Collaboration between the two countries to improve legal immigration and fight against illegal migration continues.
It is worth noting that after Donald Trump came to power in the USA, he initiated efforts to cleanse America of illegal migrants, among other initiatives. For example, according to a Bloomberg report, an immigration order signed by Trump could lead to the extradition of approximately 80,000 Turkish citizens who entered the US illegally. Thomas Homan, the US border security monitor, stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement has started detaining undocumented migrants across the country for deportation.
Abdulloh Sayyid
