The inauguration of Trump for a second term as the president of the world’s largest democracy has been analysed in terms of myriad aspects by most of the nations. His decisions post the inauguration are bound to impact geopolitics, global economics, and US’ bilateral relations with various nations. Amidst all this, the hopes of illegal migrants—including those from India—to the US lay hanging in the air. The number of such migrants has not been small by any account. As per a Pew Research Centre’s July 2024 estimate, India (725,000) accounted for the third-largest unauthorised immigrant population in the US after Mexico (4 million) and El Salvador (750,000) in 2022. The future of these migrants now remains shrouded in mystery.
India’s response to the Trump’s dramatic vow has been ‘principled’ but it is also perceived by many as being submissive. Highlighting India’s commitment to legal migration, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that India is open to taking back undocumented Indians—but only after proper verification. At the same time, he rightly stressed upon the need for easier and streamlined legal migration. It may be pertinent to point out here that the current 400-day wait for US visas does little to address India’s concerns around legal migration.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump remains staunch in his pursuit to crack down on illegal immigration. For many Indians stranded abroad, it is a cause of serious concern. It may be mentioned here that in 2023 alone, nearly 97,000 Indians were caught trying to cross US borders illegally, often using the treacherous ‘Donkey Route’. The ‘Donkey Route’ is a dangerous path through Latin America, involving risky crossings, smugglers, and perilous terrain. Migrants spend huge sums of money to undertake these journeys. Many are driven by economic struggles back home and the dream of sending money to improve their families' lives. Tragically, some never make it. Needless to say, the travails resulting from illegal migration need to be mitigated urgently. But is deportation back home the best alternative? Doesn’t seem so. The Indian government could have strived to find a middle ground with the US administration in order to secure the interests of the migrants, while pledging collaboration to stem the malaise of illegal migration in future. The most important thing, as emphasised by Jaishankar, is to streamline and simplify the process of legal migration so that people have a viable alternative to the Donkey Route. Back home, the Indian government has even more serious tasks. Issues like unemployment, rural distress, and limited job opportunities push many Indians to take such desperate steps. Expanding skill development programmes and creating more jobs at home could help reduce the need for risky migration.
To sum up, legal migration is a win-win for both countries. Indian workers contribute significantly to the US economy, especially in sectors like tech and healthcare. For many families back home, remittances from overseas workers are a lifeline. Yet, hurdles like visa backlogs and long waiting times often push people towards illegal routes. Making the visa process faster and smoother would benefit both nations. Till the time these issues are resolved, India should avoid falling to the dictates of the Trump administration and secure the best possible bargain for its citizens stranded abroad. Though in principle, there can be no questioning over India’s decision to welcome back its citizens.