Migration experts attribute this surge to a combination of factors, including the overall rise in global migration post-pandemic, the persecution of minority communities in India, sophisticated smuggling methods, and severe visa backlogs
The surge in illegal Indian immigrants crossing the US borders on foot has reached unprecedented levels, with almost 97,000 encounters recorded in the past year, reported nbcnews.com.
This marks a significant fivefold increase from 2019 to 2020 when the numbers stood at around 20,000.
Migration experts attribute this surge to a combination of factors, including the overall rise in global migration post-pandemic, the persecution of minority communities in India, sophisticated smuggling methods, and severe visa backlogs.
The spike in migration has become particularly pronounced in the 2023 fiscal year, where 96,917 Indians were encountered, either apprehended, expelled, or denied entry, reflecting a dramatic escalation compared to the previous period. While the number is still relatively low compared to Mexican and Central American migration, it represents a concerning trend that has been steadily growing for years.
Scholars, including Pawan Dhingra from Amherst College, express concern that the recent surge may be linked to deteriorating conditions for minorities such as Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians in India, drawing attention to human rights violations under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. The situation has prompted many individuals to seek asylum in the US as a means of escape.
The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) emphasizes the consequences for those entering illegally, stating that families without legal standing will face removal
Experts argue that the complexity of deporting individuals from distant places complicates the enforcement of such policies, highlighting the challenges in returning migrants to their home countries, especially when they come from places like India
The growth in undocumented Indian migrants has been noticeable since borders opened post-Covid, with 30,662 encounters in the 2021 fiscal year and a significant increase to 63,927 in the 2022 fiscal year. Out of the nearly 97,000 encounters in the current year, 30,010 occurred at the Canadian border, while 41,770 took place at the Southern border.
Muzaffar Chishti, the director of the Migration Policy Institute’s New York office, notes that the Southern border has become a preferred staging ground for migrants from around the world due to its faster access to the US. Meanwhile, the Canadian border presents vulnerabilities with large stretches that are virtually unguarded at times.
The journey from India to the US involves multiple legs and facilitators, leading migrants through the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and South America before reaching the US. These long and treacherous journeys often result in migrants facing overwhelmed immigration systems upon arrival.
The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) emphasizes the consequences for those entering illegally, stating that families without legal standing will face removal. However, experts argue that the complexity of deporting individuals from distant places complicates the enforcement of such policies, highlighting the challenges in returning migrants to their home countries, especially when they come from places like India.
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