The Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) indicates a notable increase in immigration enforcement actions, particularly impacting Indian nationals. Currently, there are 2,647 Indian nationals detained in U.S. facilities, positioning them as the fourth-largest group of detainees by nationality, following individuals from Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala. Furthermore, there are 17,940 Indian nationals with final removal orders who are being monitored on ICE’s non-detained docket as they await deportation.The number of deportations involving Indian nationals has risen sharply, with 1,529 removals recorded in FY 2024, a substantial increase from the 292 removals in FY 2021.
Overall, ICE’s deportations across all nationalities have also escalated, totaling 271,484 this fiscal year compared to 59,011 in FY 2021. Additionally, data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection revealed that between February 2019 and March 2023, approximately 149,000 Indians were detained while attempting to enter the U.S. illegally, with over 1,600 more crossing through the northern border during this period. Many of these Indian immigrants are motivated by economic factors, despite their ineligibility for asylum, as highlighted by the Wall Street Journal, which notes that the success of other Indians in securing employment in the U.S. serves as a significant influence on their decisions to migrate.
