The number of Indians apprehended for illegally crossing into the U.S. during the first five months of 2025 has seen a significant decrease, dropping by 70% compared to the same period last year. Data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) shows the number fell from 34,535 in January-May 2024 to 10,382 in January-May 2025.
This sharp decline coincides with Donald Trump's return to the presidency and the implementation of his administration's stricter immigration policies. The renewed crackdown has reportedly disrupted smuggling networks that facilitate the entry of hopeful migrants, many of whom are from Gujarat. The expectation of Trump's return seemingly led many of these syndicates to pause operations starting in late 2024. One source connected to a human smuggling ring in Gujarat indicated that routes began to dry up as it became clear Trump would likely win again, with smugglers scaling back, raising costs, and a heightened fear of stricter deportations.
Despite the decrease, the fact that over 10,000 Indians still attempted to enter the U.S. illegally in this period highlights the continued desperation to pursue the "American dream". The USCBP data included at least 30 unaccompanied minors, many of whom are from Gujarat, underscoring the vulnerabilities and risks associated with this type of migration.
The impact of the stricter policies is also reflected in the overall USCBP data, which shows a sharp decrease in the apprehension of illegal immigrants across all nationalities during the same period. Arrests fell from 81,492 in January 2025 to approximately 29,000 per month from February to May 2025. In February 2025, the USBP apprehended 8,347 illegal aliens crossing the southwest border between ports of entry, a 71% decrease from January 2025 and a 94% decrease from February 2024. In May 2025, the Border Patrol encountered 8,725 illegal aliens crossing the southwest border between ports of entry, a 93% decrease from May 2024.
The U.S. has been deporting undocumented immigrants of Indian origin, a practice that has occurred since Trump's first presidency. As of early 2025, there were an estimated 725,000 Indian nationals living in the U.S. illegally, making them the third-largest group after Mexicans and Salvadorans. In February 2025, the Indian Enforcement Directorate began investigating 4,300 Indians suspected of entering the U.S. illegally between 2021 and 2024.
The journey to the U.S. for these migrants often involves the "donkey route," an illegal route managed by trafficking networks. This route is seen as an alternative to the legal visa application process, which can be lengthy with high rejection rates. Some deported immigrants revealed they used agents in Dubai, contacted through sub-agents in India and the UK, and traveled through countries like Serbia and Armenia before reaching the U.S. via Tijuana, Mexico. These individuals paid significant sums, sometimes selling land and taking loans to finance their journey, only to be apprehended and deported.
In March 2025, the Indian government reported that 636 Indian nationals had been deported from the U.S. since January 2025, with some arriving on chartered flights and others on commercial flights via Panama. The government is also verifying the details of additional individuals detained in the U.S. with final orders of removal.
