India-to-Repatriate

India’s Support for US Immigration Policies Aims to Secure Skilled Worker Visa Programs: Help Deport 18,000 Illegal Migrants to the US

 

India will cooperate with the Trump administration in repatriating almost 18,000 illegal Indian migrants living in the United States. The move is in line with the Trump administration's policies regarding illegal immigration and marks one of the largest steps toward avoiding a trade war and strengthening bilateral ties. By stepping up, India expects access to legal migration routes for the country's skilled workers and students to be continued.

This action goes hand-in-hand with a harsher United States stand on undocumented immigration and intends to continue both nations' great relationship. Simultaneously, this would prevent legal Indian immigrant pathways for entry through student visas and H1B.

 

Protecting Legal Channels of Immigration

 

India will support legal immigration to the US and focus on the H-1B program. The H-1B program allows American companies to hire skilled foreign workers. The Indians have nearly 75% of the 386,000 H-1B visas issued in 2023. India hopes that these critical visa paths will be saved by participating in the repatriation effort.

The Ministry of External Affairs agreed to reduce illegal migration. According to its spokesperson, both countries are embarking on a process seeking to discourage unlawful migration. This is to build more opportunities to legally migrate from India to the US. "This cooperation will benefit both nations," said the Ministry's spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal.

 

Increase in Indian Illegal Immigrants

 

Indians constitute only a negligible number of illegal migrants in the United States, and in 2024, they only comprised 3% of total unlawful entries reported by the US Border Patrol data. But again, there have been growing reports along the northern U.S. border over the last couple of years. Indians now comprise nearly a quarter of all unlawful crossings at this less trafficked entry point.

While India's share in illegal immigration is still quite small compared to Mexico or Venezuela, the rising number of Indian illegal immigrants in the US has forced both countries to take notice. The estimated number of Indian illegal immigrants in the US stands at around 220,000, according to a 2022 report by the Department of Homeland Security.

 

India's Trade and Labor Concerns

 

Having India on its side is seen as a diplomatic gesture not to raise the ante on trade tensions. President Trump has repeatedly complained about the high import duties imposed by India, which have already been threatened with reciprocal tariffs. India is interested in scotching a potential trade war and sees immigration cooperation as a means of keeping their relationship with the Trump administration friendly.

For cooperation in repatriation, India expects the US to continue its support for legal immigration routes. Its government has been working towards getting labor and mobility agreements from other nations such as Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, and Japan for better opportunities abroad for Indian citizens.

 

Migrant workers may gain long-term migration opportunities from these developments:

 

India's goal is to ensure that the Trump administration upholds legal immigration processes. In particular, it hopes that the H-1B visa and student visa programs will remain intact. This move also aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s broader strategy of managing migration and deterring illegal activities, including secessionist movements like the Khalistan movement, which has been active in the US and Canada.

India's immigration cooperation is an example of how both nations handle sensitive issues. Despite some challenges on the trade relations side, the joint effort to control migration indicates cooperation in a highly complex global situation.

 

Final Thought

 

India's decision to return 18,000 illegal immigrants from the United States marks the most significant positive step forward on the bilateral agenda with the United States.

 In any case, cooperation has been necessary due to migration issues. Still, it will be exercised while considering expanding opportunities for proper legal migration into the country to minimize such illegal inflow. The strengthened ties between the two nations balance immigration policies within trade relations.