US sends back illegal Indian migrants on chartered flight ahead of presidential elections

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) deported a large number of Indian nationals, who lacked the appropriate permits and documentation to reside in the country. 

The Indian nationals were sent on a chartered flight back to India on October 22, the department said in a statement. 

“On October 22, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), conducted a large-frame charter removal flight to the Republic of India of Indian nationals who did not establish a legal basis to remain in the United States,” the statement read. 

According to the statement, the move showed the DHS’ ongoing dedication to security and ongoing collaboration with the Indian government and other foreign partners to lessen and discourage irregular migration and cooperatively combat human smuggling. 

Kristie Canegallo, a senior official performing the duties of the deputy secretary of Homeland Security, said that Indian nationals, who do not have a legitimate reason to stay in the US are “subject to swift removal, and intending migrants should not fall for the lies of smugglers who proclaim otherwise.”

The DHS stated that it is still enforcing US immigration rules and that those who enter the nation illegally will face severe penalties. 

Watch | WION Gravitas: Indian immigrants illegal in the US number around 500,000

Additionally, this further includes swiftly returning those without a legal basis to remain in the United States, while encouraging the use of lawful pathways, it said.  

The DHS has deported people of several nationalities, including Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Egypt, Mauritania, Senegal, Uzbekistan, the PRC, and India, throughout the past year. 

Due to these efforts, the department removed or returned more individuals in FY24 than in any other year since FY2010, the agency said. 

The DHS has conducted over 495 repatriation flights to over 145 countries, including India. The US government agency has also removed or returned more than 160,000 people since June 2024. 

A total of 25,616 Indians attempted to cross the border from Mexico into the southern US between October 2023 and September 2024. Meanwhile, 43,764 Indians tried to cross the border from Canada. 

Moreover, other Indians most likely overstayed their visas or flew into American airports. 

In the last two years, over 1,86,000 Indians have tried to illegally enter the US, according to American officials. 

(With inputs from agencies)