NOT WORTH THE RISK: ON THE U.S., INDIA AND ILLEGAL EMIGRATION

THE CONTEXT: The U.S. deported 104 Indian nationals on February 5, 2025, as part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigration under the Trump administration. This deportation is part of a larger trend, with 15,756 Indian nationals deported since 2009 and approximately 725,000 undocumented Indians currently residing in the U.S., primarily from Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat.

BACKGROUND AND CURRENT SITUATION:

• • Recent Deportations: On February 5, 2025, the U.S. deported 104 Indian nationals via a military aircraft, marking a significant escalation in its immigration enforcement policies under Donald Trump’s administration. These deportees were primarily from Punjab, Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Chandigarh. Many had endured perilous multi-country journeys facilitated by human traffickers.
  • Scale of Indian Illegal Immigration: The U.S. is home to approximately 725,000 undocumented Indians, accounting for a significant share of the global Indian diaspora. As of November 2024, 20,407 undocumented Indians were either detained or facing final removal orders in the U.S. In 2023-24 alone, U.S. authorities recorded 90,415 attempts by Indian nationals to cross into the U.S. illegally, primarily through the northern border.

POLICY SHIFTS AND ENFORCEMENT:

• • The Trump administration has intensified immigration enforcement by deploying military aircraft for deportation flights—an unprecedented move signaling its hardline stance.
  • Deportees have reported inhumane treatment during repatriation, including being shackled and handcuffed like hardened criminals. Deportations have fluctuated over the years but remain a persistent issue. For instance:

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL PUSH FACTORS:

• • Economic Disparities: India’s per capita income is just 2.4% of the U.S. average, creating strong economic incentives for migration. States like Punjab and Gujarat face agrarian distress and limited employment opportunities that drive illegal migration.
  • Visa Delays and Restrictions: Prolonged delays in obtaining U.S. visas or green cards push individuals to explore illegal routes at significant financial and personal risk.
  • Human Trafficking Networks: Human traffickers exploit vulnerable individuals by promising legal entry into the U.S., often through Canada or Mexico. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating over 4,200 Indians linked to such illegal immigration networks.
  • Diplomatic Implications: The deportations coincide with high-level diplomatic engagements between India and the U.S., potentially straining bilateral relations. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized that deportation is not new but assured efforts to ensure the humane treatment of deportees while addressing the root causes domestically.

KEY CONCERNS:

INTENSIFIED ENFORCEMENT:

• • Use of Military Flights: The U.S. has employed military aircraft for deportations, marking a shift toward more aggressive immigration enforcement. This is the first time such measures have been used for Indian deportees, signaling a hardline approach to illegal immigration.
  • Potential for Large-Scale Raids: The Trump administration’s prioritization of immigration enforcement raises concerns about expanded workplace raids and detention operations targeting undocumented individuals, including the estimated 725,000 undocumented Indians in the U.S.

HUMANITARIAN CONCERNS

• • Treatment of Deportees: Reports of deportees being shackled and restrained throughout their journey have sparked outrage in India. Videos released by U.S. authorities show Indian nationals in handcuffs and leg chains, raising questions about the dignity and human rights of deportees.
  • Public Reaction: Opposition leaders in India described the treatment as “dehumanizing” and “degrading,” with protests erupting in Parliament. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the government for failing to ensure the humane treatment of its citizens.

DIPLOMATIC CHALLENGES

• • Timing of Deportations: The deportations coincided with high-level diplomatic engagements, including Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming visit to the U.S., potentially creating tensions in bilateral relations.
  • Impact on Strategic Ties: As the U.S. remains India’s largest trading partner, such incidents risk undermining broader strategic cooperation on issues like trade and technology and countering China’s influence in Asia.
  • India’s Response: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar assured Parliament that India is engaging with U.S. authorities to ensure the humane treatment of deportees while maintaining a focus on legal migration pathways for skilled workers.

THE WAY FORWARD:

• • Comprehensive Policy Approach: India must adopt a holistic framework to tackle illegal migration by balancing enforcement with humanitarian considerations. The proposed Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024 aims to streamline migration management and ensure safe, legal, and structured migration pathways. The success of the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreements with countries like Germany and the UK demonstrates how structured frameworks can facilitate orderly migration while addressing irregular migration challenges.
  • Collaborate with the U.S. and Other Nations: India should engage in bilateral agreements with destination countries to ensure the humane treatment of deportees and promote legal migration pathways. For instance, India’s cooperation with the U.S. on deportations has helped maintain favorable conditions for H1B visa holders.
  • Promote Legal Pathways for Skilled Workers: Expand agreements like the Migration and Mobility Partnerships to include more countries, ensuring skill recognition and job opportunities for Indian workers abroad.
  • Global Migration Governance: Advocate for international norms under platforms like the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) to address irregular migration while safeguarding human rights.
  • Address Push Factors: Tackle economic disparities, unemployment, and agrarian distress in high-migration states like Punjab, Gujarat, and Haryana. For skill development, initiatives such as PM-KUSUM (for agricultural sustainability) and PMKVY (Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana) can reduce migration pressures.
  • Enhance Regional Development: Establish special economic zones (SEZs) in high-emigration districts to create local employment opportunities. Gujarat’s success in attracting investments through SEZs can be replicated in other states.
  • Educate Potential Migrants: Launch targeted campaigns like the MEA’s ‘Surakshit Jayen Prashikshit Jayen’ Initiative, which educates youth about legal migration pathways and the risks of illegal immigration.
  • Leverage Digital Platforms: Use social media, local language content, and grassroots outreach programs to disseminate information on safe migration practices in vulnerable regions.
  • Crackdown on Human Trafficking Networks: Strengthen enforcement mechanisms under laws like the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, to dismantle trafficking syndicates exploiting vulnerable migrants.
  • Negotiate Humane Deportation Processes: Engage with U.S. authorities on protocols for humane deportation practices to ensure that deportees are treated with dignity during repatriation.
  • Strengthen Bilateral Relations: Use migration diplomacy to balance deportation issues with broader strategic interests, such as trade, technology transfer, and defense cooperation with partner nations such as the U.S.

THE CONCLUSION:

India must adopt a comprehensive approach to address illegal migration effectively. This approach should integrate domestic reforms, international cooperation, public awareness campaigns, legal modernization, and diplomatic efforts. Facilitating legal migration must be prioritized. Addressing the root causes of migration should be tackled. By doing so, India can safeguard its citizens’ interests while maintaining strong global partnerships.

UPSC PAST YEAR QUESTION:

Q. Indian diaspora has a decisive role to play in the politics and economy of America and European Countries’. Comment with examples. 2020

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:

Q. Illegal migration has emerged as a significant challenge for India, impacting its bilateral relations and internal governance. Discuss the reasons behind illegal migration from India to countries like the U.S. and suggest measures to address this issue comprehensively.

SOURCE:

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/not-worth-the-risk-on-the-us-india-and-illegal-emigration/article69184685.ece