India to Repatriate 18,000 Illegal Migrants from US Amid Crackdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. — India is preparing to repatriate approximately 18,000 of its citizens residing illegally in the United States, as the Trump administration intensifies its crackdown on unauthorized migration following the start of its second term on Monday, according to a Bloomberg report.

The move comes as part of behind-the-scenes efforts by India to avoid a potential trade war with the U.S., the report stated. Both nations have jointly identified the migrants for deportation, though the actual number of unauthorized Indian immigrants in the U.S. could be significantly higher. A 2022 report by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security estimated that around 220,000 Indian immigrants were living in the country illegally.

“Any slack in taking back illegal U.S. migrants could also adversely affect India’s labour and mobility agreements with other countries,” Bloomberg reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Within hours of his inauguration on Monday, President Trump announced plans to end birthright citizenship and deploy troops to the U.S.-Mexico border. He also signaled intentions to impose tariffs of up to 25% on Mexico and Canada by February 1, accusing the nations of allowing undocumented migrants and drugs to enter the U.S.

India, meanwhile, is seeking to protect legal immigration channels for its citizens, particularly student visas and the H-1B program for skilled workers. Official data shows that Indians accounted for nearly 75% of the 386,000 H-1B visas issued in 2023.

“As part of India-U.S. cooperation on migration and mobility, both sides are engaged in a process to deter illegal migration. This is being done to create more avenues for legal migration from India to the U.S.,” said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, in the Bloomberg report.

Jaiswal also referenced a recent repatriation effort, stating, “The latest deportation of Indian nationals from the U.S. by a chartered flight is a result of this cooperation.” The October action marked a significant step in the ongoing collaboration between the two nations.

President Trump’s renewed focus on immigration and trade has placed additional pressure on countries like India to address unauthorized migration. The administration’s policies aim to curb illegal entry while maintaining legal pathways for skilled workers and students.

As the U.S. and India navigate these complex issues, the repatriation of 18,000 migrants underscores the broader challenges of balancing immigration enforcement with bilateral relations and economic interests.