India Vows “Strict Measures” After US Deports Undocumented Migrants
New Delhi: India has vowed to take “strict measures” regarding illegal immigration following the deportation of 104 undocumented Indian migrants aboard a U.S. military aircraft on February 6, 2025.
Thousands of undocumented migrants have been detained across the United States since Donald Trump took office in January 2025, according to the Agence France-Presse.
The Indian Minister of External Affairs, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, addressed the Indian Parliament, emphasizing that it is the responsibility of all countries to repatriate their citizens if it is determined they are residing illegally abroad. He stated, “We must focus our attention on imposing strict measures on illegal immigration while also taking steps to ease visa procedures for legal travelers.”
U.S. Border Patrol Chief, Michael W. Banks, stated that the deportation of “illegal foreigners back to India” was the “longest repatriation journey to date via military transport.” He shared a video on social media showing undocumented migrants boarding a military aircraft.
Jaishankar assured that India is in communication with the U.S. government to ensure that the deported migrants are not mistreated during their journey. However, he noted that deportations are not a new phenomenon, as the U.S. has expelled more than 15,000 Indians since 2009, nearly half of them between 2019 and 2024.
India, the fifth-largest economy in the world, has one of the highest GDP growth rates globally. Despite this, hundreds of thousands of its citizens migrate abroad annually in search of better opportunities, with the U.S. remaining the preferred destination. India has been pushing for a more liberal U.S. visa system, particularly for skilled professionals such as engineers and doctors.
During Trump’s first term as president, Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi developed a strong relationship, though critics have accused both leaders of having authoritarian tendencies. Indian media reports indicate that Modi is expected to visit Washington next week, where a meeting with Trump is anticipated.