By 
In October, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) repatriated Indian nationals via a chartered flight, reflecting a rise in large-scale deportations. These “removal flights,” often carrying over 100 individuals, returned Indian migrants unable to secure legal residency in the US.
The most recent flight landed in Punjab, a region commonly associated with many deportees. In the 2024 fiscal year ending September, over 1,000 Indian nationals were deported, according to Royce Bernstein Murray, Assistant Secretary at the US Department of Homeland Security. This marks a steady rise in deportations, coinciding with increased border encounters involving Indian migrants.
Spike in Irregular Migration
US Customs and Border Protection reported nearly 170,000 Indian nationals detained since October 2020 at the borders with Mexico and Canada. Indian migrants now represent the largest non-Western group attempting unauthorized crossings.
Research shows many migrants hail from Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat. Economic distress, farming challenges, and unemployment drive migration, with some seeking asylum over fears linked to the Khalistan separatist movement. Migrants often take loans or sell assets to fund their journey, relying on costly smuggling networks charging up to $100,000.
Shifting Entry Routes and Demographics
Increasingly, migrants use Canada as an entry point due to shorter visa processing times compared to the US. The Swanton Sector of the US-Canada border has seen a surge in Indian crossings, while family units now comprise 16-18% of detentions, signaling a demographic shift.
Tragic incidents underscore the risks, such as the 2022 death of a Gujarat family attempting to cross the Canadian border in freezing conditions.
Challenges Ahead
As the US tightens border policies under new leadership, stricter measures could further complicate migration routes. However, economic opportunities and social pressures to settle in the US continue to fuel aspirations, despite rising challenges and dangers.
The path forward remains uncertain, but the pursuit of a better future drives many to take significant risks.
