Understanding India-US Relations: Tackling the Illegal Immigration Challenge Together

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Understanding India-US Relations: Tackling the Illegal Immigration Challenge Together

Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump. This was their first chat since Trump returned to the White House.

When reporters asked if Modi had agreed to take in illegal immigrants, Trump replied, “He will do what’s right. We are discussing.”

According to Trump, they had a long discussion on January 27, and he hinted that Modi might visit the US in February. “We have a very good relationship with India,” he stated.

Foreign policy experts in India noticed that Trump was surprisingly diplomatic during this call. Instead of using aggressive language about immigrants, he approached the topic in a calmer, more respectful manner. This suggests that Trump values the relationship with India highly.

For New Delhi, adjusting to the new US administration has been essential. India has been flexible and is working to maintain strong ties.

During December and January, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with senior leaders in the US government, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. He also had discussions with key members of Congress like Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson.

India appears ready to cooperate with Trump on his main domestic issue: immigration. The topic of illegal immigration has become a priority for many in America, particularly among the right-wing political groups.

Indian officials have indicated to their US counterparts that they are willing to take back some immigrants who entered the US illegally. This decision is viewed as a relatively low-cost move for India, aiming to protect the legal pathways for their citizens wanting to travel to the US.

India’s main concern is that these deportations aren’t turned into a public spectacle, which could create political difficulties at home. It’s essential for the Indian government to explain these actions to their citizens correctly.

In 2024, the US issued over a million non-immigrant visas to Indians once again, including a significant number for visitors. However, only about 1,100 people were deported to India last year.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) removed more than 271,000 non-citizens during the last fiscal year. Trump aims to ramp up deportations, targeting one million undocumented migrants annually, meaning about 2,750 each day. Recent reports show that ICE has been detaining around 900 people daily.

These actions have sparked fears among many immigrant communities, leading some to avoid workplaces to evade potential detentions. However, ICE’s operational capacity is limited, with only around 40,000 beds available for detainees. Trump has suggested using military facilities to accommodate detainees, which raises concerns about the scale of deportations.

While 20,000 Indians are identified for deportation, the total number of Indians living undocumented in the US is roughly 725,000. Trump’s efforts might not fully address the larger issue.

India is particularly concerned about the future of its students and skilled professionals in the US. As of May 2024, there were about 351,000 Indian students in the US, mainly in STEM master’s programs. Moreover, a significant percentage of H-1B work visas, primarily utilized by Indian IT professionals, have gone to Indian nationals in recent years.

Indian officials argue that these students and professionals greatly benefit the US economy. Trump has shown support for the H-1B program, emphasizing the need for skilled workers. However, some states have already raised issues with his immigration orders, indicating legal battles ahead.

Overall, India is looking for a balanced approach in the US immigration policies. As long as there is no major disruption, they hope for a workable solution that benefits both countries.



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