U.S. ICE Deports Indian Nationals Lacking Legal Basis to Remain

October 26 :
On October 22, Indian nationals who could not provide evidence of legal status to remain in the US were deported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) via U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In keeping with the DHs' pledge to combat human smuggling and decrease and discourage irregular migration, the Indian government and the DHs worked together on a large-frame charter removal flight. Kristie A. Canegallo, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, warned that "Indian nationals without a legal basis to remain in the United States are subject to swift removal," emphasizing that would-be migrants should not believe the claims made by smugglers. "The enforcement of our nation's laws will continue to be carried out by the Department of Homeland Security."

In the past twelve months, the Department of Homeland Security has deported people to numerous nations, including India, Senegal, Mauritania, Peru, Egypt, Uzbekistan, the People's Republic of China, and Ecuador, as stated in a press release. These initiatives led to the largest number of individuals removed or returned by DHS in FY2024 compared to any year since FY2010.

Released information also indicated that there has been a 55% decline in interactions between ports of entry along the southwest border since June 2024, when the Securing the Border Presidential Proclamation and its accompanying Interim Final Rule were put into force. More than 495 foreign repatriation flights were operated by the DHS to more than 145 countries, including India, in Fiscal Year 2024, and more than 160,000 persons were removed or returned.