US Customs and Border Protection (US-CBP) has reported a concerning rise in illegal immigration from India, especially from Gujarat, during the financial year 2024. Between October 1, 2023 and September 30, 2024, around 90,415 Indian nationals were arrested attempting to enter the US, with an average of roughly 10 arrests every hour.
A significant portion of these arrests, totalling 43,764, occurred at the US-Canada border, marking the highest number of Indian nationals apprehended at that location. This points to a growing trend of individuals opting to enter the US through Canada rather than Mexico.
The overall number of illegal immigrant arrests at the US-Mexico border has seen a slight decline, dropping from 3.2 million in the previous year to 2.9 million this year. Specifically, the number of Indians arrested while attempting to cross from Mexico has fallen from 41,770 to 25,616.
Experts suggest that this decrease in Mexico-based crossings can be attributed to increased monitoring and oversight in countries such as Turkey and Dubai, which has disrupted human smuggling operations.
Consequently, many Indian nationals, particularly from Gujarat, have turned to Canada as a less risky entry point. Some enter Canada on visitor visas, before attempting to cross into the US, often relying on local taxis for transportation.
US Deported Indians Illegally Entered
In a recent development, the US Department of Homeland Security, in collaboration with India, has arranged for a chartered flight to deport Indian nationals who were living in the country illegally.
Despite stringent border security measures on both the Canadian and Mexican borders, the individuals who are caught typically represent only a small fraction of those who successfully enter the US illegally. Many of those arrested often attempt to re-enter the country after being apprehended.
This shift in migration patterns highlights the evolving nature of illegal immigration from India to the US. While the total number of arrests has decreased slightly, the methods and routes chosen by individuals seeking a better life continue to adapt, presenting ongoing challenges for authorities on both sides of the border.
Indians 2nd to Gain US Citizenship
Indians have secured their position as the second-largest group to gain US citizenship in the fiscal year 2024. According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), 49,700 Indians were naturalised last year, accounting for 6.1% of all new citizens. This places them just behind Mexico, which contributed 13.1% of new citizens.
Naturalisation is the process through which lawful permanent residents of the US, born outside the country, acquire US citizenship after meeting the criteria set out under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
The USCIS report has noted that the top five countries of origin for new US citizens between November 2023 and October 2024 were Mexico, India, the Philippines (5%), the Dominican Republic (4.9%) and Vietnam (4.1%). Together, these nations made up 33% of all new naturalised citizens in FY 2024.
Analysis of the report revealed that Indian nationals predominantly reside in states such as California, Texas, New Jersey, New York and Illinois, which also boast the highest naturalisation rates. These states are home to large Indian diaspora communities, supported by job opportunities in the technology, healthcare and business sectors.
Sources within the immigration network have highlighted the strong presence of Gujaratis among Indian immigrants in the US.
“Many Indian nationals, especially Gujaratis, first succeed in obtaining asylum based on race, religion or political ideology. Later, they secure work authorisation even as undocumented individuals, which enables them to apply for the naturalisation process,” a source explained.
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