India has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing illegal immigration as the United States intensifies its immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, emphasized New Delhi&rsquo;s firm stance against illegal immigration, citing its links to organized crime.
"For Indians not just in the United States, but anywhere in the world, if they are Indian nationals and they are overstaying, or they are in a particular country without proper documentation, we will take them back provided documents are shared with us so that we can verify their nationality and that they are indeed Indians," Jaiswal assured during a Friday briefing.
This statement follows the U.S. government&rsquo;s launch of what it has termed the "largest massive deportation operation in history." Hundreds of undocumented migrants have been arrested, with many deported on military aircraft as part of the crackdown. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed in a social media post that 538 undocumented immigrants, labeled as "criminals," had been arrested and hundreds more deported. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) also reported 373 detainers lodged in its latest enforcement update.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka criticized ICE agents for detaining individuals, including documented residents and a U.S. military veteran, without presenting warrants. Baraka&rsquo;s concerns underscore growing criticisms of the operation&rsquo;s legality and ethics, particularly regarding civil rights violations.
For India, the development highlights the importance of proactive engagement. New Delhi&rsquo;s readiness to cooperate with the U.S. on deporting undocumented Indian nationals reflects its broader strategy to combat illegal immigration and strengthen bilateral ties.
President Trump&rsquo;s renewed immigration policies include declaring a "national emergency" at the southern border and deploying additional troops to the region. With an estimated 11 million undocumented migrants residing in the United States, the crackdown signals a robust push to fulfill Trump&rsquo;s campaign promise of stricter border security.
As global attention focuses on the operation, questions about balancing national security with human rights persist. India&rsquo;s collaborative stance ensures its nationals are treated fairly while underscoring the shared responsibility of addressing illegal migration.

US President Donald Trump addressing media (file photo) , illegal migrants deported from America

MEA assures cooperation as Trump’s deportation drive impacts Indian nationals

India to Take Back Illegal Migrants Amid U.S. Crackdown

MEA assures cooperation as Trump’s deportation drive impacts Indian nationals

January 25, 2025 | 06:59 IST