On Monday, the US revealed that it had placed limitations on senior officials, executives, and owners of Indian-based travel businesses for willfully aiding illegal immigration to the US.
Mission India’s Consular Affairs and Diplomatic Security Service throughout our embassy and consulates are actively identifying and targeting people involved in assisting illegal immigration as well as human smuggling and trafficking activities, according to the US Department of State.
“In order to disrupt networks of foreign smugglers, we will keep taking action to restrict visas for travel agency owners, executives, and senior officials. In addition to educating foreign nationals about the risks of illegal immigration to the United States, our immigration policy seeks to hold those who break our laws—including those who assist illegal immigration—responsible,” said US Department of State Spokesperson Tammy Bruce in a statement.
“Protecting Americans and maintaining the rule of law depend on the enforcement of U.S. immigration laws and policies. Even those who would otherwise be eligible for the Visa Waiver Program are subject to this worldwide visa restriction regulation. Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act is the legal basis for these measures,” she continued.
EAM S. Jaishankar informed Parliament earlier this year that since 2009, 15,756 illegal Indian immigrants had been sent back to India.
According to data presented to the Lok Sabha, the largest deportation occurred in 2019, when 2,042 illegal Indian immigrants were returned to the nation.
More than 500 Indian migrants were repatriated to India each year beginning in 2009 and continuing until 2025. The number of individuals dispatched to India surpassed 1000 between 2016 and 2020.
