New Delhi: The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has taken a firm stance on illegal immigration, deporting a group of Indian nationals on a chartered flight back to India. This move, undertaken in collaboration with the Indian government, under the US’s commitment to enforcing its immigration laws and discouraging illegal entry.
On October 22nd, the charter flight carrying the deported Indian nationals departed from the US, highlighting the agency’s proactive approach to addressing illegal immigration. The DHS emphasised that people residing in the US without legal authorisation are subject to swift removal, urging potential migrants to utilise lawful pathways.
“Indian nationals without a legal basis to remain in the United States are subject to swift removal, and intending migrants should not fall for the lies of smugglers who proclaim otherwise,” said Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Kristie, A. Canegallo.
The recent deportations are part of a broader strategy implemented by the US government to curb illegal immigration. Since June 2024, the “Securing the Border Presidential Proclamation” and accompanying “Interim Final Rule” have been in effect, leading to a significant 55 per cent decrease in encounters between ports of entry along the southwest border.
In Fiscal Year 2024, the DHS has removed or returned over 160,000 individuals through more than 495 international repatriation flights to over 145 countries, including India by collaborating with foreign governments to accept repatriations of their nationals residing in the US without legal authorisation, the statement said.
The US government considers chartered flight to deport illegal settlers a critical tool in its efforts to reduce irregular migration and promote the use of safe, legal, and orderly pathways for entering the country. They are also actively working to hold transnational criminal networks accountable for their role in smuggling and exploiting vulnerable people, it said.
In addition to India, the DHS has removed individuals from a range of countries worldwide, including Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Egypt, Mauritania, Senegal, Uzbekistan, China, and others.
