Rising Numbers: Are Over 725,000 Indians Living Illegally in the U.S.?
The recent deportation of 205 Indians via a special flight has come to light, underscoring the U.S.'s ongoing efforts to repatriate residents without legal status.
By: Tupaki Desk | 5 Feb 2025 5:34 AM GMTIt's known that since taking office for the second time, President Trump has adopted a strict stance on foreigners living illegally in the United States. The recent deportation of 205 Indians via a special flight has come to light, underscoring the U.S.'s ongoing efforts to repatriate residents without legal status. These individuals were flown from San Antonio, Texas, to Amritsar, Punjab, aboard a military aircraft designated C17. Officials from the American Embassy in Delhi revealed that this flight departed in the early hours of Tuesday at 3 AM, stopping in Ramstein, Germany, for refueling en route to India.
The circumstance surrounding this specific flight, which saw the repatriation of a large number of Indians, has sparked considerable debate. Critically, while the aircraft typically accommodates 140 passengers, it was reported to have carried 205 individuals on this occasion. This has led to criticism, especially when comparing to emergency evacuations from Afghanistan by the Taliban, where 600-800 people were transported in similar aircraft. Questions arise about how the U.S., seen as a close and trusted ally of India, handles such situations.
Concerns are also mounting regarding the actual number of Indians living unlawfully in the U.S. and how they are identified as illegal residents. According to Bloomberg estimates, up to 18,000 Indians have been identified, while the U.S. Homeland Security figures suggest a total of 20,407, with 17,940 having received final orders for deportation. However, these numbers are from 2022, and current estimates suggest even higher figures. Reports indicate that as many as 725,000 Indians could be residing illegally in the U.S., raising questions about the feasibility and implications of repatriating such a large number of individuals.
This large-scale deportation effort raises the question of just how many Indians are living illegally in the U.S. and the methods by which they are identified and processed for deportation. Those deported are typically individuals who entered the U.S. without the necessary legal documents. For these deportations, the U.S. employs large aircraft, usually reserved for commercial or military purposes, to facilitate the transfer of these individuals back to their home countries.
The recent deportation of 205 Indians, however, has come under scrutiny. While these aircraft are capable of transporting a significant number of passengers, the decision to move 205 people, as opposed to the aircraft's usual capacity of 140, has elicited criticism. In contrast, during the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, aircraft of similar size were used to evacuate between 600-800 individuals, leading some to argue that the recent deportations from the U.S. are not as egregious by comparison. Yet, the situation begs the question of how the U.S., considered a strong ally of India, is managing these deportations.
As the debate continues, the focus shifts to the larger issue of illegal residency and the logistics of managing such a substantial number of deportations. The question remains: Is it feasible to repatriate such a large population, and what impact would it have on India if such a large number were to return? The challenge of dealing with the return of such a significant number of individuals undoubtedly poses a daunting task for both India and the U.S.