In a significant development concerning bilateral migration issues, India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that over 1,000 Indian nationals have been deported from the United States since January. The spokesperson for the Ministry, Randhir Jaiswal, highlighted that approximately 62% of these deportations occurred via commercial flights, though further specifics on the details of the returns were not disclosed.
This uptick in deportations follows the Trump administration’s aggressive stance on undocumented immigration. Former President Donald Trump had earlier emphasized that India would “do what’s right” in managing the deportation of illegal migrants. February saw a notable instance, with more than 100 Indians returned on a U.S. military flight, some reportedly shackled during the process.
“We have close cooperation between India and the United States on migration issues,” Jaiswal affirmed during his weekly briefing. He added that India verifies the nationalities of those being deported before accepting their return.
The U.S. has reportedly identified around 18,000 Indian nationals believed to have entered the country illegally. This reflects the broader scope of the ongoing migration issue, which has intensified under U.S. immigration policies.
The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi earlier issued a warning, emphasizing that overstaying one’s visa could lead to deportation or even a permanent ban on entry, including for individuals who initially entered legally. This advisory has added another layer of complexity to the situation, with many Indian nationals now at risk of facing stricter scrutiny regarding their immigration status.
In addition to these developments, Jaiswal also addressed the potential impact of updated U.S. visa policies on Indian students. On Thursday, the U.S. had announced that it would suspend new visa interview scheduling for foreign students as part of a broader move to expand the screening of applicants’ social media activities. This decision could potentially delay or complicate the process for thousands of Indian students planning to attend U.S. universities in the coming academic year.
“While we note that the issuance of visas is a sovereign function, we hope that the application of Indian students will be considered on merit, and they will be able to join their academic programs on time,” Jaiswal commented.
In 2023-24, approximately 330,000 Indian students enrolled in U.S. institutions, making India the largest source of international students in the U.S. This large demographic is now facing uncertainty as the new visa policies take shape.
Simultaneously, the U.S. has broadened its visa policy, intensifying scrutiny on Chinese students, particularly those with ties to the Chinese Communist Party or enrolled in critical fields. This policy shift forms part of a broader strategy aimed at tightening U.S. immigration controls, particularly in areas tied to national security and foreign influence.
As migration and student visa policies continue to evolve, the India-U.S. relationship on these issues remains a critical area of focus, affecting thousands of individuals on both sides of the world.