'We will take them back': MEA on Indians staying illegally in US as Donald Trump begins crackdown

NEW DELHI: Ministry of external affairs on Friday said that India is "against illegal immigration", not just in the United States, "but anywhere in the world".


"We are against illegal immigration, especially because it is linked to several forms of organised crime," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a press briefing.


The spokesperson added, "For Indians not just in the United States, but anywhere in the world, if they are Indian nationals and they are overstaying, or they are in a particular country without proper documentation, we will take them back provided documents are shared with us so that we can verify their nationality and that they are indeed Indians. If that happens to be the case we will take things forward and facilitate their return to India."

This comes a day after EAM S Jaishankar said that India has always been open to legitimate return of undocumented Indians to their country. "As a government, we are obviously very much supportive of legal mobility because we do believe in a global workplace. We want Indian talent and Indian skills to have the maximum opportunity at the global level. At the same time, we are also very firmly opposed to illegal mobility and illegal migration," Jaishankar had said.

"Because you also know that when something illegal happens, many other illegal activities get joined onto it, which is not desirable. It is certainly not good reputationally. So, with every country, and the US is no exception, we have always maintained that if any of our citizens are there illegally, and if we are sure that they are our citizens, we have always been open to their legitimate return to India," Jaishankar added while responding to a query on news reports that India is working with the Trump administration for the deportation of some 18,000 Indians in the US who are either undocumented, or have overstayed their visas.

Meanwhile, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on Thursday that US authorities arrested 538 migrants and deported hundreds of "illegal immigrants" in a day in a large-scale operation, days after President Donald Trump began his second term.

Leavitt said on X, "The Trump Administration arrested 538 illegal immigrant criminals including a suspected terrorist, four members of the Tren de Aragua gang, and several illegals convicted of sex crimes against minors."

During his campaign, Trump pledged to take tougher measures against illegal immigration. After taking office, on his first day, he signed executive orders declaring a "national emergency" at the southern border with Mexico. He announced the deployment of more troops and committed to deporting "criminal aliens."