US Embassy On Deportation Of Undocumented Indians: 'Illegal Migration Is Not Worth It'

Amid reports that the Trump administration is deporting migrants to India via military aircraft, a spokesperson for the US embassy stated that the United States is strictly tightening its immigration laws and removing illegal migrants.

"The United States is vigorously enforcing its border, tightening immigration laws, and removing illegal migrants. These actions send a clear message: illegal migration is not worth the risk," a US embassy spokesperson was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

According to sources cited by NDTV, a US military aircraft carrying 205 Indian nationals deported for illegal entry departed from Texas. The deportation process involved the verification of each individual, indicating India's involvement in the operation.

This is expected to be the first of many such flights repatriating illegal Indian immigrants from the United States.

The initial round of deportations has taken place amid reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may visit the US next week. This would mark his first visit since Donald Trump began his second term as US President.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had earlier stated that New Delhi is open to the "legitimate return" of Indian nationals residing illegally abroad, including in the US.

US President Donald Trump has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him that India "will do what's right" regarding the return of illegal Indian immigrants.

A Bloomberg report suggested that India and the US have identified approximately 18,000 Indian migrants who entered the US illegally.

The Ministry of External Affairs has reiterated India's stance against illegal immigration, citing its links to organised crime.

"For Indians not just in the United States, but anywhere in the world, if they are Indian nationals and they are overstaying, or they are in a particular country without proper documentation, we will take them back, provided documents are shared with us so that we can verify their nationality and that they are indeed Indians. If that happens to be the case, we will take things forward and facilitate their return to India," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated at a press briefing.