India to Repatriate 18,000 Undocumented Citizens from the US

The Indian government is preparing to repatriate approximately 18,000 Indian nationals living in the United States illegally, according to reports from Bloomberg. This move aims to alleviate tensions with the Trump administration and to foster a collaborative relationship between the two nations.

Sources indicate that the Indian authorities are working closely with their U.S. counterparts to identify undocumented immigrants for deportation. This initiative is seen as a way to demonstrate India's commitment to addressing illegal immigration while protecting the legal immigration status of Indian workers, particularly those on H-1B visas, which are crucial for many professionals in the technology and engineering sectors.

Despite the identified number, experts suggest the actual figure of undocumented Indians could be significantly higher; the Pew Research Center estimates there are around 725,000 undocumented Indian immigrants in the U.S., ranking them as the third-largest group after Mexicans and Salvadorans.

The Modi administration's strategy appears to be a calculated response to President Trump's stringent immigration policies, which include threats of mass deportations and increased tariffs on Indian goods. The relationship between Modi and Trump is characterized by personal rapport, but the Indian government is keen on avoiding trade conflicts that could arise from unfavorable bilateral policies.

India's foreign ministry has confirmed that it is cooperating with the U.S. on issues related to illegal migration, indicating that deportations have already commenced, with over 1,000 undocumented individuals returned to India in the past year.

The focus of the Indian government remains on safeguarding the H-1B visa program, especially in light of mixed signals from the Trump administration regarding its future.