NEW DELHI: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday reiterated India’s stance against illegal immigration, emphasizing that it opposes such activities not just in the United States but globally.
“We are firmly against illegal immigration, as it is often linked to organized crime,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a press briefing.
Jaiswal assured that India is prepared to repatriate its nationals living abroad without proper documentation, provided their Indian citizenship is verified. “For Indians residing illegally in any country, including the US, we will facilitate their return if proper documents confirming their nationality are shared with us,” he stated.
The comments follow External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s remarks on the government’s commitment to the lawful repatriation of undocumented Indians. “As a government, we fully support legal mobility, enabling Indian talent to thrive globally. However, we stand firmly against illegal migration, as it often brings other undesirable activities and harms our reputation,” Jaishankar said.
He highlighted India’s proactive approach, stating, “With every country, including the US, we’ve maintained that if our citizens are there illegally and their nationality is verified, we are open to their legitimate return to India.”
These statements come amidst a large-scale immigration crackdown by US authorities. On Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that US immigration officials arrested 538 migrants and deported hundreds of “illegal immigrants” in a single day, including a suspected terrorist, gang members, and individuals convicted of crimes against minors.
President Donald Trump, who recently began his second term, had pledged tougher measures against illegal immigration during his campaign. Following his re-election, Trump signed executive orders declaring a “national emergency” at the southern border, deploying more troops and committing to the deportation of “criminal aliens.”
The Trump administration has reportedly identified approximately 18,000 Indians in the US who are either undocumented or have overstayed their visas. India has confirmed its readiness to work with US authorities to address the issue.
