The United States earlier this week undertook a high-profile deportation of Indian nationals, sending a large plane filled with undocumented migrants back to India. This deportation effort, coordinated by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), highlights a growing wave of Indian nationals attempting to enter the United States, often through Mexico or Canada.
On Saturday (Oct 26, 2024), in an official statement shared with the media by the Embassy of US in India, DHS officials stated that these actions are part of a broader collaboration with India to curb illegal immigration while promoting legitimate avenues for migration.
Joint Efforts to Curb Illegal Migration
India and the US are engaged in a complex but collaborative approach to address the rising numbers of undocumented Indian migrants. Sources told Financial Express Online, “As part of India-US cooperation on migration and mobility, both sides are engaged in a process to deter illegal migration… The latest deportation of Indian nationals by a chartered flight is a result of this cooperation.” The sources stressed that these deportations have been occurring for years, reflecting a consistent effort to manage migration more effectively.
DHS has stepped up its focus on reducing irregular migration, especially following the 2024 Presidential Proclamation that reinforced stricter border control measures. Since its enactment, US border encounters have dropped by over 50%, underscoring the effectiveness of such policies in reducing unauthorized crossings. From June 2024 alone, DHS has conducted over 495 deportation flights to more than 145 countries, with India among the primary destinations for repatriation.
The Draw of the “American Dream” Amid Economic Challenges
Despite these deterrents, the allure of the US remains potent for many Indians, particularly from Gujarat and Punjab, where long standing economic struggles, unemployment, and high debt levels fuel the desire for better opportunities abroad. Financial Express Online has reported previously this migration isn’t new; these regions have historically seen high emigration rates as families seek stability and income prospects in foreign nations. The path to the US, however, is fraught with risk and exploitation, as migrants increasingly rely on human smuggling networks to navigate complex, often dangerous routes.
The Growing Role of Mexico and Canada in Migration Routes
With tighter controls at the Mexico-US border, Indian nationals are increasingly using Canada as a staging ground. Official data indicates that Indian encounters at the US-Canada border spiked, with nearly 14,000 cases between October 2023 and February 2024.
A report titled `Indian migrants at the US border: What the data reveals’ by Niskanen Center and authored by Gil Guerra & Sneha Puri states Canada’s relatively accessible visitor visas make it an attractive point of entry, though US authorities have stepped up surveillance along the northern border to counter this shift.
Meanwhile, the Mexican route remains popular for those unable to obtain visas for Canada. The Indian Embassy in Mexico has issued stern warnings, cautioning Indian nationals about the dangers of traveling through Mexico. The country has become a significant transit point, with Indian migrants representing the second-largest group of Asian nationals entering the US via this route.
Reports suggest that between 2022 and 2023, the number of Indian migrants arriving in Mexico surged from under 3,000 to more than 12,400. In 2024 alone, over 3,300 Indians were detected by Mexico’s National Migration Institute (INM), underscoring a shift in global migration patterns.
Exploitation by Human Smugglers: A Growing Crisis
The dangerous journeys of Indian migrants are often facilitated by an intricate web of human smuggling networks, commonly referred to as “coyotes,” that exploit migrants’ vulnerabilities. Earlier this year, authorities dismantled a trafficking ring operating out of Cancun, Mexico, which had detained over 75 Indian nationals, confiscating their passports and mobile devices. According to immigration experts, the journey can cost migrants upwards of $50,000, a massive financial risk with uncertain rewards.
Senior DHS official Kristie A. Canegallo stressed the need to counter these illegal networks. “Indian nationals without a legal basis to remain in the United States are subject to swift removal… DHS will continue to enforce our nation’s laws.” This stance underlines US determination to disrupt human smuggling and ensure that migrants choose lawful pathways to immigration.
Impact of Tightened Border Controls
The ramifications of stricter US immigration policies are overwhelming. Reports from the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reveal that over 90,000 Indian nationals attempted illegal entry during the 2024 fiscal year, underscoring a persistent demand despite heightened security measures. Although illegal entry attempts from India dropped along the Mexican border—from 41,770 in 2023 to 25,616 in 2024—the Canada route witnessed a surge, reflecting shifting migrant strategies in response to US and Mexican border policies.
The “donkey route,” a term commonly associated with the journey through Mexico, has become increasingly risky. Tighter scrutiny in transit countries such as Dubai and Turkey have disrupted traditional smuggling routes, with authorities enhancing security checks to prevent migrants from reaching Mexico undetected. For many, the high costs, financial strain, and physical danger no longer outweigh the potential rewards, making Canada a more appealing, though equally perilous, alternative.
India’s Stance on Illegal Migration and Mobility Partnerships
At a weekly briefing recently, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs highlighted India’s commitment to lawful migration channels. “India does not support illegal immigration… We are signing mobility and migration partnerships with countries across the world to create channels, avenues, for our young people… who are looking for opportunities,” the ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted. India has adopted a proactive stance, establishing legal migration pathways to meet international skill demands while curbing unauthorized crossings.
These partnerships aim to benefit Indian nationals seeking legitimate opportunities abroad while mitigating the risks associated with undocumented migration. Despite India’s efforts, the steady demand for US migration highlights the enduring appeal of the “American Dream,” as hopeful migrants weigh the financial and physical dangers against the potential rewards of a life in the US
The Future of Indian Migration to the US
Global migration trends remain in flux as economic disparities and geopolitical shifts push individuals toward nations offering better prospects. While the journey to the US remains a challenging and often perilous path, the aspiration for economic advancement continues to drive migrants from Gujarat and other Indian states toward North America. As nations implement tighter immigration policies, the need for comprehensive and humane strategies becomes ever more pressing to manage these migratory pressures.
US-India collaboration on migration shows that a balanced approach, combining deterrence with lawful opportunities, is essential to addressing this complex issue. As countries like Mexico and Canada impose stricter controls, the focus on safe, regulated migration channels will likely intensify, impacting the future migration choices of Indian nationals.
