The United States Customs and Border Protection data has revealed that nearly 1 lakh Indians attempt to enter US border illegally this year, The Hindu reported.
The Rajya Sabha recently raised a crucial question shedding light on the escalating issue of Indians unlawfully entering the United States.
Responding to the query, V Muraleedharan, the Minister of State for External Affairs India, revealed startling data from the US Customs and Border Protection, indicating encounters with nearly 1 lakh illegal Indian migrants this year alone.
This surge is a recent phenomenon, emerging over the past four years, the report said.
A decade ago, US border authorities apprehended just over 1,500 Indian illegal migrants, with a slight increase in subsequent years, remaining below 10,000 until 2019.
However, since 2020, there has been a substantial rise, reaching 96,917 in 2023.
The heightened number of illegal migrants assumes significance as the US presidential elections approach, with illegal border crossings emerging as a top concern for American voters.
Notably, Donald Trump, a prominent Republican candidate, attributes this surge to President Joe Biden’s reversal of many of his immigration-related policies.
