AHMEDABAD: Prolonged delays, detentions, and the looming threat of deportation have turned the American dream into a nightmare for thousands of undocumented Indians in the United States. The primary obstacle lies in the lengthy wait times for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) clearances, which are essential for asylum seekers to proceed with their cases.
Many undocumented immigrants are facing hearing dates scheduled as far into the future as 2027. Others, apprehended at borders, remain stuck in detention camps. Without ICE clearance, these individuals risk deportation if caught living in the U.S. illegally.
In 2023, a staggering 41,000 Indians applied for asylum in the U.S., but most must endure years before their cases are heard. ICE, the federal agency tasked with enforcing immigration laws and determining threats to national security or public safety, remains overwhelmed with a backlog of cases.
Delays Stretch for Years
A legal document from an American agency reveals the case of a Gujarat man who applied for asylum in January 2023 and was granted a hearing date in Atlanta for March 2027. Official records highlight the precarious situation of such applicants. One document from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security states:
“You are not a citizen or national of the United States. You are a native of India and a citizen of India.”
If apprehended before his scheduled hearing, the man faces immediate deportation.
In another instance, a couple from Gujarat’s Mehsana district, detained with their child after crossing the U.S.-Canada border illegally in June, has been stuck in a detention camp. Their case, pending with ICE, was recently assigned a hearing date for August 2026. Attempts to follow up at the ICE office were met with refusal to grant them entry.
Smuggling Networks Advise Caution
Human smuggling networks have been advising their clients, particularly those from Gujarat, to avoid citing political persecution as a reason for asylum. “U.S. officials scrutinize claims of political harassment strictly,” said a source in one such network. “Applicants making such claims are more likely to face deportation.”
Videos obtained by TOI show Gujaratis entering the U.S. illegally and falsely claiming to be opposition party workers to strengthen their asylum cases when apprehended.
Political Fallout
The issue was recently discussed in the Rajya Sabha, where the government accused asylum seekers of “maligning the country for personal gain.” This debate has intensified concerns about the portrayal of India in asylum narratives and the exploitation of these claims for immigration purposes.
As the backlog grows, thousands of Indians continue to navigate a precarious existence, waiting for their shot at a better future while facing the constant specter of detention and deportation.
