Trump Administration Steps Up Deportations, Straining US-India Relations

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Key Takeaways

• On February 5, 2025, a U.S. plane deported 100 undocumented Indians; India agreed to repatriate 18,000 nationals.
• Trump’s 2025 executive orders expanded expedited removal, targeting migrants without hearings if in the U.S. under two years.
• Reports suggest potential revocation of H-4 visa work permits, affecting thousands of Indian spouses dependent on H-1B workers.

The United States has ramped up efforts to deport Indian nationals living in the country illegally, creating waves both domestically and internationally. This move marks a significant shift in immigration enforcement led by the Trump administration during its second term, starting in January 2025. The new policies are already having profound effects on undocumented Indians, the broader Indian community in the U.S., and U.S.-India relations.

On February 5, 2025, a U.S. military plane carrying about 100 deported Indian nationals landed in Amritsar, India 🇮🇳. This flight is the fourth such deportation flight since the start of 2024, reflecting a sharp acceleration in removals. The Indian government has agreed to repatriate 18,000 of its nationals who were found to be in the United States without legal status, showing the magnitude of the situation. The deportees include many from regions such as Gujarat and Punjab, states that are politically significant in India and could lead to domestic political pressures.

Trump Administration Steps Up Deportations, Straining US-India Relations

The deportations are part of a larger immigration crackdown initiated by President Trump. On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed executive orders aimed at overhauling U.S. immigration. These directives included calling unauthorized migration an “invasion” and declaring a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border. Provisions like increased military support at the border were also announced. In addition, one of the most critical changes is the expanded use of “expedited removal.” This policy allows immigration authorities to deport individuals without a hearing if they believe the person has been in the U.S. for less than two years. This approach notably increases the risk of removal for many undocumented Indians across the country.

The Trump administration has set the high goal of deporting 1 million unauthorized immigrants annually. To achieve this, they have removed prior restrictions that limited operations in sensitive areas – such as schools or hospitals. The expansion of expedited removal procedures means the immigration court system now plays a more limited role in certain deportation cases, which streamlines removals but leaves less room for legal challenges.

The Indian community in the United States, many of whom are living either without proper documentation or under tenuous legal statuses, has been heavily impacted. Estimates suggest that up to 725,000 undocumented Indians are currently in the U.S., a figure that far exceeds the 18,000 individuals India has agreed to take back so far. This gap indicates that the number of deportations could escalate significantly in the months ahead, further rattling Indian families and communities in the United States.

The way these deportations are carried out has also sparked controversy both in India and the U.S. Some deportees have complained of harsh treatment, with reports of individuals being shackled during flights. This has especially riled the Indian public and opposition parties. Punjab and Gujarat, from where many deportees originate, are in the media spotlight for reasons beyond deportations. Punjab, in particular, remains a sensitive region due to long-standing Khalistan issues. Critics argue that the U.S. government’s handling of deportations may aggravate feelings of injustice and worsen the already delicate U.S.-India diplomatic relationship.

The Trump administration’s immigration overhaul, however, does not only target unauthorized migrants. Legal pathways widely used by Indian nationals are also under scrutiny. One example is the H-4 visa, often held by spouses of Indian H-1B workers. Reports emerged on February 9, 2025, that the administration is considering revoking employment authorizations for H-4 visa holders. If implemented, this could end work options for thousands of spouses, forcing some Indian families to leave the U.S. entirely.

The refugee resettlement program, a lifeline for people escaping danger, was suspended indefinitely on January 27, 2025. Although this change does not specifically target Indian nationals, it sends a clear message about the broader, restrictive climate for immigration under President Trump. Furthermore, the administration has launched audits of federal contracts with NGOs that assist undocumented immigrants. While these audits are ongoing, funding to these organizations has been frozen, which could limit the resources available for undocumented Indians facing deportation.

Changes to the immigration system also affect more vulnerable individuals. The Trump administration’s transition has led to the shutdown of the CBP One mobile app, which had been used to schedule asylum appointments at southern border ports of entry. This closure has left roughly 270,000 migrants stranded without clear guidance, adding to the hurdles for Indian nationals attempting to navigate the immigration system.

Another critical issue is enforcement at workplaces. The administration is increasing site visits and I-9 audits, particularly in industries with a high number of foreign workers — a category that includes many Indian professionals. Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) teams are now conducting more surprise inspections, introducing additional stress for Indian employers and employees alike.

Meanwhile, the existing strain on the U.S. immigration system is growing. As of January 2025, there are over 3.5 million pending cases in immigration courts. The system is so burdened that the expanded use of expedited removal and reduction of hearings may result in fewer procedural safeguards for those who are detained, raising concerns about due process and fairness.

The effects of these policy changes are beginning to ripple through U.S.-India relations. In December 2024, India 🇮🇳 pledged to crack down on human trafficking networks that help Indians illegally migrate to the U.S. Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has called for tackling this issue jointly with the U.S., acknowledging the risks traffickers pose to Indian citizens. India and the U.S. are considering public awareness campaigns to reduce illegal migration, emphasizing the dangers of unauthorized journeys.

In an effort to address visa backlogs, discussions on opening new visa processing facilities in Indian cities are underway. However, these measures are being considered at a time when the administration is planning tighter scrutiny of business immigration filings, particularly H-1B visa applications, which are commonly used by skilled Indian professionals. Experts are raising concerns that stricter standards could lead to more visa denials and delays, further complicating the situation for Indian immigrants.

The administration’s broader immigration approach is also linked to other restrictive policies. President Trump’s team is discussing whether to end or not renew programs like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which protects individuals who were brought to the U.S. as children, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which offers temporary protections for citizens from countries affected by crises. While Indians are not directly targeted by these programs, the overall clampdown signals a less welcoming environment for all foreign nationals, including Indians.

As these policies are implemented, processing times for many legal immigration benefits are also expected to increase. Cases could take longer as staffing declines at U.S. immigration agencies, while new requirements, such as additional interviews and biometric checks, make the process even slower. This could be a major inconvenience for Indians applying for visas or green cards in the United States.

The landscape of U.S. immigration enforcement and legal immigration policy is rapidly changing. For undocumented Indians and those navigating visa processes, the situation grows more challenging by the day. VisaVerge.com highlights the pressing need for better strategies to manage the consequences for affected communities and countries. Meanwhile, the deportations of Indian nationals signify not just a change in numbers but a shift in how immigration policies are enforced and their humanitarian impact.

The Trump administration’s reforms undoubtedly mark a more aggressive stance on immigration. The repercussions are far-reaching: disrupting Indian families, affecting tech workers, and straining the ties between the U.S. 🇺🇸 and India 🇮🇳. While policymakers on both sides are discussing cooperative measures, the outcomes remain uncertain. For the thousands of Indians in limbo, the coming months will likely bring more uncertainty and hardship under the weight of these policies.

Learn Today

Expedited Removal → A process allowing authorities to deport individuals without a court hearing if they’ve been in the U.S. under two years.
H-4 Visa → A visa category often granted to spouses of H-1B visa holders, allowing limited employment opportunities in the U.S.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) → A program offering temporary protection and work authorization to individuals brought to the U.S. as children.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) → A program granting temporary legal status to citizens of countries facing crises, such as natural disasters or armed conflicts.
I-9 Audit → A review of workplace documents to verify employees’ eligibility to work in the U.S. and detect unauthorized workers.

This Article in a Nutshell

U.S. deportations of undocumented Indians surge under Trump’s 2025 immigration crackdown, straining families and U.S.-India relations. With expedited removal policies and tighter visa scrutiny, 18,000 Indians already face repatriation. Communities brace for more uncertainty, as legal pathways narrow and deportation numbers rise. The future demands urgent diplomacy and humane immigration solutions.
— By VisaVerge.com