70% dip in Indians held at US border since Trump's return
2
3
Ahmedabad:The number of Indians caught crossing illegally into the United States in the first five months of 2025 fell dramatically by 70% from last year, following the return of Donald Trump to the US presidency.
Yet, even as the route becomes more perilous, 10,382 Indians including at least 30 unaccompanied minors — many from Gujarat — were caught trying to cross the border between Jan and May. The journey is harder, the risks higher, yet the desperation to chase the American dream remains just as fierce.
The sharp drop coincides with the Trump administration's renewed crackdown on illegal immigration, which allegedly disrupted long-standing smuggling networks that cater to hopeful migrants from Gujarat.
Data released by US Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) shows a dramatic reversal in border encounters: In early 2024 under the Biden administration, 34,535 Indians had been apprehended during the same five-month stretch.
This year, the daily average has dropped to around 69 Indians.
Many of these syndicates paused their operations starting late 2024, anticipating Trump's return to power. "The moment it became clear Trump would likely win again, routes started drying up," a source connected to a Gujarat-based human smuggling ring told TOI.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Confirmed - This is the deadliest snake in the world
Novelodge
Undo
"People still want to go, but smugglers have either scaled back or raised costs, and the fear of stricter deportation is real."
You Can Also Check:
Ahmedabad AQI
|
Weather in Ahmedabad
|
Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad
|
Public Holidays in Ahmedabad
The broader impact is also visible in the USCBP's overall data, which shows that the number of illegal immigrants (across all nationalities) apprehended dropped sharply over the same five-month period. It fell from 81,492 in Jan to 28,617 in Feb, 29,021 in March, 29,218 in April, and 29,502 in May.
Yet for many Indians, especially from Gujarat, the dream of a better life across the border remains irresistible, and often fatal. On May 9, a boat carrying illegal migrants capsized near Del Mar, California, killing 14-year-old Prince and 10-year-old Mahi. Their parents, Brijesh and Sangita Patel, survived the wreck with grievous injuries.
Officials confirmed that among the 10,382 Indians detained at the border this year, at least 30 were unaccompanied minors who were abandoned by adult companions during the perilous journey.
In some cases, agents said, smugglers encouraged families to separate in hopes that minors would be treated more leniently under US immigration rules.
The deaths of Prince and Mahi, however, are not isolated. At least nine Indian nationals are confirmed to have died while trying to cross the US border since Jan 2025. These include four individuals from Dingucha in Gandhinagar, another four from a single family in Vasai-Dabhla village of Mehsana, and one man from Kalol.
Gujarat, in particular, continues to be one of the main sources of irregular migration from India, said officials, adding: "Over the past decade, networks of agents have established long and risky overland routes through Central America, exploiting gaps in border control and the aspirations of families seeking opportunity abroad."
Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with
Doctor's Day 2025
,
messages
and quotes!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
19 minutes ago
- Business Standard
PM Modi arrives in Ghana, receives guard of honour and 21-gun salute
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Ghana on Wednesday, marking the start of his five-nation tour. President John Mahama gave him a warm welcome at the airport. Upon his arrival, PM Modi received a guard of honour and a 21-gun salute. At the invitation of Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama, PM Modi will visit Ghana on 2-3 July. Ghana is a valued partner in the Global South and plays an important role in the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States. "I look forward to my exchanges aimed at further deepening our historical ties and opening up new windows of cooperation, including in the areas of investment, energy, health, security, capacity building and development partnership. As fellow democracies, it will be an honour to speak at the Parliament of Ghana," MEA said in a statement. In the second leg of his visit, PM Modi will pay an official visit to Trinidad and Tobago (T & T) from July 3-4. "I will meet President Christine Carla Kangaloo, who was the Chief Guest at this year's Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who has recently assumed office for the second term. Indians first arrived in Trinidad and Tobago 180 years ago. This visit will provide an opportunity to rejuvenate the special bonds of ancestry and kinship that unite us," the statement said. From Port of Spain, he will travel to Buenos Aires, marking the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Argentina in 57 years. "Argentina is a key economic partner in Latin America and a close collaborator in the G20. I look forward to my discussions with President Javier Milei, whom I also had the pleasure of meeting last year. We will focus on advancing our mutually beneficial cooperation, including in the areas of agriculture, critical minerals, energy, trade, tourism, technology, and investment," the statement said. PM Modi will attend the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro on July 6-7. "As a founding member, India is committed to BRICS as a vital platform for cooperation among emerging economies. Together, we strive for a more peaceful, equitable, just, democratic and balanced multipolar world order. On the sidelines of the Summit, I will also meet several world leaders. I will travel to Brasilia for a bilateral State Visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in nearly six decades. This visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen our close partnership with Brazil and work with my friend, President H.E. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, on advancing the priorities of the Global South," the statement added. His final destination will be Namibia, a trusted partner with whom India shares a common history of struggle against colonialism.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
20 minutes ago
- Business Standard
US-Vietnam trade deal: Trump announces 20% import tariff, market access
US President Donald Trump has confirmed a new trade agreement between the United States (US) and Vietnam, under which a 20 per cent tariff will be imposed on Vietnamese goods entering the US. Trump made the announcement on Truth Social. He said that the agreement also includes tariff-free access for American products into Vietnamese markets. As part of the deal, Vietnam has agreed to a 40 per cent tariff on any goods that are brought into the country from elsewhere and then shipped to the US. This practice, known as transshipping, is often used to avoid existing trade restrictions. Notably, media reports have highlighted concerns that China has used Vietnam as a transshipment point for goods destined for the US. Great deal of cooperation: Trump He continued: 'The Terms are that Vietnam will pay the United States a 20 per cent Tariff on any and all goods sent into our Territory, and a 40 per cent Tariff on any Transshipping. In return, Vietnam will do something that they have never done before, give the United States of America TOTAL ACCESS to their Markets for Trade. In other words, they will 'OPEN THEIR MARKET TO THE UNITED STATES,' meaning that, we will be able to sell our product into Vietnam at ZERO Tariff.' Trump also added: 'It is my opinion that the SUV or, as it is sometimes referred to, Large Engine Vehicle, which does so well in the United States, will be a wonderful addition to the various product lines within Vietnam. Dealing with General Secretary To Lam, which I did personally, was an absolute pleasure. Thank you for your attention to this matter!' 'Just in time' deal The deal comes just days before a 90-day suspension on Trump's reciprocal tariffs is set to end. Once expired, those tariffs would have increased duties on imports from dozens of countries. Previously, Vietnamese goods entering the US faced a flat 46 per cent tariff under the Trimp administration's "reciprocal" measures.
Hindustan Times
22 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
‘Hare Rama Hare Krishna' chants as PM Narendra Modi begins historic Ghana visit
Narendra Modi on Wednesday became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Ghana in three decades. He was accorded a warm and colourful welcome as he arrived in Ghana's Accra for a historic two-day visit. His arrival was marked by a heartfelt gesture: a group of young Ghanaian children greeted him with the devotional chant 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna,' showcasing the deep cultural connection between the two nations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives a warm welcome by Ghana President John Mahama on his arrival at Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana, for his first-ever bilateral visit to the country, on Wednesday. (DD/ANI Grab) Modi, who landed at Kotoka International Airport in Accra, was received with a guard of honour and a traditional welcome. Later, at the hotel where he will stay during the visit, a brief musical performance was organised in his honour, which the PM watched with delight. The visit marks Modi's first-ever bilateral trip to Ghana, a key partner of India in the Global South. Ghana plays an important role in both the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). In a departure statement, Modi expressed hope that the visit would further strengthen the historical ties between India and Ghana. 'I look forward to opening new avenues of cooperation in investment, energy, health, security, and development partnership,' he said, adding that addressing Ghana's Parliament would be a great honour as both nations are vibrant democracies. According to the ministry of external affairs, Modi will meet President John Dramani Mahama to review and enhance the already robust bilateral partnership, with special focus on economic, defence, and energy collaboration. From Ghana, the Prime Minister will continue his multi-nation tour with visits to Trinidad and Tobago (July 3–4), Argentina (July 4–5), Brazil for the 17th BRICS summit, and Namibia, in a bid to deepen India's global engagement.
