US Deports Migrants to India: What You Need to Know About Trump’s Crackdown

Since returning to office, US President Donald Trump has intensified his anti-immigration policies, prioritizing the removal of undocumented migrants. On Tuesday, a US military aircraft carrying deported individuals departed for India, as reported by Reuters. This move follows India’s announcement last month that it was open to accepting undocumented migrants, provided they were verified Indian nationals.

Similar deportation flights have already taken place, transporting migrants to Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras. Trump’s administration is ramping up measures to eliminate illegal immigration in the US. Here’s what’s happening.

Who Is Being Deported? How Many Indians Are Affected?

The Trump administration is primarily targeting undocumented individuals living in the US. According to The New York Times, many of those deported on recent military flights were initially apprehended under the previous Biden administration.

Official data suggests that at least 20,407 undocumented Indian nationals are at risk of deportation. Among them, 17,940 are under final removal orders, while 2,467 remain in detention under the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

A CNBC report indicates that 200 undocumented migrants were on the latest C-17 military aircraft bound for India. Additionally, Pew Research Center data from 2022 estimates that 725,000 Indians formed the third-largest unauthorized immigrant group in the US.

The Cost and Logistics of Deportation

Trump’s administration has deviated from conventional deportation methods by utilizing military aircraft instead of commercial flights typically used by ICE. While both methods are being employed, military deportations have drawn global scrutiny.

A key incident occurred on January 26, when Colombia refused to allow a US military plane to land, leading to tensions between the two nations. Additionally, human rights concerns have been raised about the use of handcuffs and chains on deportees.

Financially, these deportations come at a significant cost. Reuters reports that a military deportation flight to Guatemala on January 27 cost at least $4,675 per migrant, with 64 individuals aboard.

Trump’s Expanding Immigration Crackdown

On his first day back in office, Trump declared illegal immigration a national emergency, enacting a series of aggressive measures:

Expanded Deportation Task Force: ICE now collaborates with federal agencies such as the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Border Patrol to locate and remove undocumented individuals.

Increased Military Involvement: Trump has authorized the Defense Secretary to deploy troops to the US-Mexico border as needed.

Elimination of ‘Safe Zones’: Restrictions that previously protected undocumented individuals in hospitals, schools, and churches have been removed.

Parole Revocations: The Biden administration had granted parole to certain migrants entangled in legal issues. Trump has revoked this provision, allowing for their deportation.

CBP One Shutdown: The administration discontinued the CBP One mobile application, which previously helped migrants schedule appointments at border entry points.

End of Birthright Citizenship: Children born in the US to undocumented immigrants are no longer granted automatic citizenship.

Refugee Programs Dismantled: The US is scaling back refugee intake under Trump’s policies.

Expansion of Migrant Detention Facilities

With a surge in deportation efforts, the Trump administration is expanding detention facilities to accommodate undocumented migrants awaiting removal.

On January 29, Trump announced the construction of a migrant detention center at Guantanamo Bay, a site previously notorious for housing terrorism suspects after 9/11. This facility is expected to hold up to 30,000 detainees.

The Buckley Space Force Base in Colorado has also been proposed as an additional site for detaining migrants.

The US has ramped up immigration arrests. According to Reuters, ICE detained about 1,000 individuals in the last week of January alone, triple the previous year’s daily average.

Trump’s Tariff Threats and Global Reactions

Trump has demonstrated a willingness to use economic pressure to enforce immigration policies.

Following Colombia’s refusal to accept deported migrants, Trump retaliated by imposing a 25% tariff on all Colombian imports. Shortly after, Colombia relented and sent its own planes to retrieve deportees to avoid a trade conflict.

On Saturday, Trump announced 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, citing concerns over illegal immigration and drug trafficking. By Sunday night, both nations negotiated a 30-day reprieve, agreeing to enhanced border enforcement in return.

The US Congress has warned of possible sanctions against countries that refuse to cooperate with deportation orders.

What This Means for Indian Migration to the US

Trump’s hardline stance on immigration played a key role in his 2024 campaign, and his administration’s actions are likely to impact legal migration as well.

India’s willingness to accept deported nationals is seen as a strategic move to protect legal pathways, particularly amid ongoing debates over the H-1B visa program. Some Trump supporters have called for an end to H-1B visas, which allow US firms to hire specialized foreign workers. However, industry leaders, including Elon Musk, have argued that while reforms may be needed, the H-1B program benefits the US economy.

With deportations accelerating and immigration policies tightening, Indian migrants—both documented and undocumented—are watching developments closely.