Illegal Immigration from India to the US: 10 arrested every hour in 2024
Recent data from the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) highlights the growing problem of illegal immigration from India to the United States. In the 2024 fiscal year (October 2023-September 2024), 2.9 million people were apprehended trying to cross US borders illegally. Of these, 90,415 were Indian nationals. Around half of the illegal immigrants from India came from the state of Gujarat, according to sources cited by The Times of India.
Over the last year, an average of 10 Indians were arrested every hour for attempting to enter the United States without proper documentation. Notably, 43,764 of these arrests occurred at the US-Canada border, marking the highest number of Indian nationals caught at that northern border.
Although the total number of illegal immigrants caught in 2024 shows a slight decline from the 3.2 million apprehended in the previous year, illegal immigration from India remains a concern. In 2023, 96,917 Indian nationals were detained while attempting to cross into the US, showing that the numbers have decreased but not dramatically.
One reason for this decrease may be a shift in immigration patterns. Previously, many migrants from India used a route through Mexico, often referred to as the “donkey route.” This path has become less popular in recent years due to increased surveillance and stricter enforcement by US immigration authorities. Migrants were often held in countries like Dubai or Turkey before being smuggled into Mexico. However, US agencies have cracked down on these networks, disrupting human smuggling chains.
Many immigrants from Gujarat now opt to travel through Canada, where they can cross the border more easily by taxi. However, the US authorities have stepped up security at the US-Canada border as well. Some migrants, carrying Canadian visitor visas, attempt the crossing multiple times despite earlier arrests.
Though the number of arrests is significant, immigration experts suggest that these figures represent only a fraction of those who successfully enter the United States illegally.
US authorities continue to monitor and address the issue, but illegal immigration remains a challenge for both countries.
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