NORTH NEWS
NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 26
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has repatriated Indian nationals who entered the country illegally, according to an official statement. The DHS has removed or returned over 160,000 individuals and conducted more than 495 international repatriation flights to over 145 countries, including India.
Indian official sources have said that, as part of the India-U.S. collaboration on migration and mobility, both nations are actively working to deter illegal migration while enhancing opportunities for legal migration from India to the U.S. The recent deportation of Indian nationals via a chartered flight reflects this ongoing partnership. Such deportations have been occurring for several years, the sources added.
On October 22, DHS, through U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), organized a charter flight to India for individuals who failed to establish a legal basis for remaining in the United States. This operation underscores the DHS’s ongoing commitment to collaborate with the Indian government and other international partners in combating irregular migration and human smuggling.
The official statement said that the DHS remains vigilant in enforcing US immigration laws, swiftly returning those without legal standing while advocating for lawful immigration pathways. Since the implementation of the Securing the Border Presidential Proclamation and Interim Final Rule in June 2024, encounters at the southwest border have decreased by 55%. Kristie A. Canegallo, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, emphasized the importance of adhering to legal pathways, stating, “Indian nationals without a legal basis to remain in the United States are subject to swift removal.” The DHS actively engages with foreign governments to facilitate the repatriation of nationals lacking legal status, as part of a broader strategy to tackle irregular migration and disrupt transnational smuggling networks.
In FY2024, the DHS achieved a record number of removals, surpassing any previous year since FY2010, and continues to expand its repatriation flight operations.
