Illegal migration represents a significant challenge that the global community is currently confronting. Tragically, numerous individuals and families, including children, lose their lives at borders while attempting to cross into another country unlawfully. These individuals often undertake such perilous journeys in search of improved living conditions, economic opportunities, or as victims of human trafficking.
India is not exempt from this issue, facing challenges from neighboring countries, notably the Rohingya crisis, where thousands of illegal migrants have entered India from Myanmar due to ethnic violence. Additionally, similar migration issues arise from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, among others.
Conversely, there is an increasing trend of Indian nationals attempting to enter Western nations, particularly the United States, in pursuit of better opportunities. It is essential to explore the underlying reasons and trends associated with this phenomenon especially when Donald Trump is deporting thousands back.
According to the BBC, in the United States fiscal year 2024, which concluded in September, over 1,000 Indian nationals were repatriated via charter and commercial flights, as reported by Royce Bernstein Murray, the assistant secretary at the US Department of Homeland Security.
Since October 2020, officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have apprehended nearly 170,000 Indian migrants who attempted unauthorized crossings at both the northern and southern land borders.
Although these figures are lower than those from Latin America and the Caribbean, Indian nationals constitute the largest group of migrants from outside the Western Hemisphere that the CBP has encountered over the past four years. As of 2022, it is estimated that there are approximately 725,000 undocumented Indian immigrants residing in the United States, making them the third-largest group after migrants from Mexico and El Salvador, as reported by new data from the Pew Research Center. Unauthorized immigrants overall account for 3% of the total U.S. population and 22% of the foreign-born population.
Reasons for rise in illegal migration
Majorly the illegal migration is in hope of better life and economic conditions. Also it has been seen that many families feel proud to say among their social circles that they have a family member settled in the west. But they might not tell the true story if they already knew that the family member settled in west has gone illegally or on false documentation.
According to the sources, migrants in question do not originate from the lowest economic tiers; however, they face challenges in obtaining tourist or student visas for the United States, often due to insufficient educational qualifications or limited English language skills. Consequently, they turn to agencies (the frauds) that impose fees reaching as high as $100,000 (£79,000), frequently opting for lengthy and difficult routes intended to circumvent border controls.
What is surprising is that, to finance this endeavor, many individuals resort to selling their farms or acquiring loans. The data from US immigration courts in 2024 indicates that a significant proportion of Indian migrants are male, aged between 18 and 34.
Further, Canada has emerged as a more viable entry point for Indian nationals, with a visitor visa processing time of 76 days, in stark contrast to the potential wait of up to a year for a US visa in India.
Also, a central American countries like El Salvador and Nicaragua provides visa free travel for Indians, so the majority of irregular Indian migrants accessed the USA through the more trafficked southern border with Mexico, often via El Salvador or Nicaragua.
Trends
It has also come to light that, a significant portion of the migration seems to stem from the Punjab and Haryana, both of which have a historical pattern of overseas migration. Additionally, Gujarat, is another notable source of migrants. Punjab, which contributes a substantial number of irregular Indian migrants, is currently grappling with economic challenges such as elevated unemployment rates, agricultural distress, and an impending drug crisis. Furthermore, migration has been a longstanding trend among Punjabis, with many rural youths still aspiring to relocate abroad.
Researchers have identified a notable change in the family demographics of Indian nationals at the borders. An increasing number of families are attempting to cross the border. In 2021, the majority of those detained at both borders were single adults. Currently, family units account for 16-18% of detentions at these borders. This shift has occasionally resulted in tragic outcomes. In January 2022, an Indian family of four, part of a larger group of 11 individuals from Gujarat, tragically succumbed to the cold just 12 meters (39 feet) from the Canadian border while trying to enter the United States.
A concerning trend has emerged involving the proliferation of illegal agents who exploit individuals by promising entry into the country through dubious means, often for substantial sums of money. Numerous cases in India illustrate how many unsuspecting individuals have fallen victim to these enticing yet fraudulent assurances. Some families have invested crores in their pursuit of reaching the USA, unaware that the paths they were taking were illegal. This situation represents only a fraction of a larger issue; it raises alarming questions about the extent to which educated individuals might resort to such desperate measures for a better life. Furthermore, it highlights the grave issue of human trafficking, which remains largely unaddressed in public discourse.
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