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'India will do what’s right': Trump pressures Modi amid surge in Indian deportations

The U.S. has deported illegal Indian migrants on a military aircraft, marking the first such deportation under President Trump’s renewed immigration policies. With India now the farthest destination for deportees, Washington has intensified its efforts to curb illegal migration.

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Edited By: Muskan Dhami
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In a significant move, the U.S. military has deported a group of illegal Indian migrants, marking the first such operation since President Donald Trump’s return to the White House. A U.S. official confirmed to Reuters on Monday that a C-17 military aircraft carrying the migrants had departed but would take over 24 hours to reach India. This deportation aligns with Trump’s intensified immigration policies, leveraging military resources to strengthen border security, expedite deportations, and house detainees at military bases.

India becomes the farthest deportation destination under Trump

The Trump administration has previously deported migrants to Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras. However, India is the farthest country to receive deportees since Trump’s reinstatement. The move underscores growing concerns in Washington regarding illegal Indian immigration, a matter reportedly discussed between Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Trump and Modi discuss immigration policies

During a recent conversation, Trump emphasized the importance of India taking back its illegal immigrants. The White House described the call between the two leaders as "productive," focusing on deepening bilateral cooperation. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also raised the issue of "irregular immigration" with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, reinforcing America's stance on stricter deportation policies.

India's response: Firm stance against illegal immigration

India has acknowledged the issue, with Jaishankar stating that New Delhi "firmly opposes" illegal migration. He highlighted that such activities often lead to other unlawful practices, affecting India's global reputation. “If there are any of our citizens who are not here legally and we are sure they are our citizens, we have been open to their legitimate return to India,” Jaishankar affirmed.

The steady increase in deportations of Indian migrants

Between October 2023 and September 2024, the U.S. deported over 1,100 Indian nationals. Royce Murray, Assistant Secretary for Border and Immigration Policy at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) noted a consistent rise in deportations of illegal Indian immigrants in recent years.

Ongoing diplomatic engagement on immigration

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the deportations as part of a “regular consular dialogue and arrangement” between the two nations. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reaffirmed that India continues to engage in discussions with the U.S. to ensure the proper mobility and return of Indian nationals.

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