Amid the immigration crackdown initiated under former US President Donald Trump, concerns mount over the plight of over 20,000 undocumented Indians in the United States. As of November 2024, 17,940 Indians are under final removal orders, while 2,467 remain in detention under the supervision of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This makes Indians the fourth-largest group in ICE custody, and the largest among Asians, with a total of over 37,000 non-citizens detained across all nationalities.
Final removal orders are issued by immigration judges and become administratively final upon affirmation by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). Deportation concerns are heightened as ICE has named India among 15 “uncooperative” countries that allegedly hinder removal efforts by refusing consular interviews, delaying proceedings, or rejecting deportation flights.
The deportation of Indians has surged in recent years, rising from 292 in 2021 to 1,529 in 2024, according to ICE’s 2024 Annual Report. Despite data inconsistencies, reports indicate that 1,100 undocumented Indians were repatriated via charter and commercial flights between October 2023 and September 2024.
The looming threat of mass deportations has caused unease in India, given the significant Indian presence in the US, including over 300,000 students and a large number of H-1B visa holders. India’s inclusion in ICE’s list of uncooperative countries adds another layer of complexity to the situation, raising concerns about diplomatic and logistical challenges in repatriation.
