Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has reiterated New Delhi’s commitment to addressing the issue of undocumented Indian migrants in the United States. Speaking after a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, Jaishankar stated that India remains open to the repatriation of its undocumented citizens, provided their identities are verified.
“We have always maintained that if there are any of our citizens who are not here legally, and we are certain of their identity, we are open to their legitimate return to India,” Jaishankar remarked during a news conference on Wednesday.
India’s Stance on Illegal Migration
India’s firm opposition to illegal migration aligns with broader efforts to strengthen bilateral ties with the U.S. Jaishankar’s visit comes amid ongoing discussions on trade, tariffs, and immigration, which remain sensitive topics under U.S. policies introduced during Donald Trump’s presidency. These include stricter enforcement against illegal immigration and deportation.
Recent data from the Pew Research Center reveals that Indians represent the third-largest group of undocumented immigrants in the U.S., with an estimated 725,000 individuals as of 2022, following Mexico and El Salvador.
The U.S. government has identified approximately 18,000 undocumented Indian migrants slated for deportation, a process requiring verification by Indian authorities. Jaishankar confirmed that New Delhi is working to verify their identities and facilitate the deportation process where applicable.
Legal Migration and H-1B Visas
Jaishankar emphasised the importance of legal migration and the global mobility of skilled Indian professionals. “We strongly support legal mobility because we believe in a global workplace. We want Indian talent and skills to have maximum global opportunities,” he stated.
The H-1B visa program, a vital channel for skilled Indian professionals to work in the U.S., remains a topic of debate. While critics argue the program impacts American workers, proponents highlight its economic benefits. Indians, particularly in the technology sector, are among the program’s largest beneficiaries.
Prominent voices like Elon Musk and, more recently, former President Trump have supported the program, easing concerns over potential policy restrictions. Analyst Harsh Pant from the Observer Research Foundation noted, “On H-1B visas, India has strong support from U.S. companies, making it a safer issue for India to navigate politically.”
Strengthening US-India Relations
India’s proactive stance on repatriating undocumented migrants is seen as an effort to address U.S. concerns while creating space to negotiate more complex issues, such as trade and tariffs. Analysts view this as a strategic move to build goodwill and balance divergences in U.S.-India relations.
Recent deportations of undocumented Indians underline the commitment to resolving the issue, with groups of Indian nationals already repatriated in 2023. As discussions progress, both nations aim to strengthen ties through transparency and mutual cooperation.
RELATED | HRCP Report: Rising Hindu Migration from Sindh amid Violence
