The logo of the Department of Homeland Security. Deposit. | Photo credit: AP

THE The United States has deported a number of Indian nationals who were staying in the country illegallyconfirmed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Friday, October 26, 2024. The department did not specify how many people were on board the flight.

According to a DHS statement, the operations were conducted through U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on October 22.

“This week’s flight demonstrates the ministry’s continued commitment to continued sustainable cooperation with the Government of India and other international partners to reduce and deter irregular migration and work together to combat human trafficking,” notes the press release.

DHS enforces U.S. immigration laws and takes action against people who enter the United States illegally. This includes quickly removing people who do not have a legal basis to remain in the United States, while encouraging the use of legal avenues. According to DHS, since June 2024, when the “Presidential Securing the Border Proclamation” and its accompanying interim final rule took effect, encounters between U.S. ports of entry along of the southwest border decreased by 55%.

“Since June 2024, DHS has expelled or returned more than 160,000 people and operated more than 495 international repatriation flights to more than 145 countries, including India,” DHS noted.

Kristie A. Canegallo, senior official serving as assistant secretary of Homeland Security, said: “Indian nationals without legal basis to remain in the United States are subject to prompt removal, and would-be migrants should not let themselves be take the lies of smugglers who claim otherwise, the Department of Homeland Security will continue to enforce the laws of our country.

According to DHS, deportation charter flights are one of several tools DHS uses “to reduce irregular migration, promote the use of safe, legal, and orderly pathways, and hold transnational criminal networks accountable for trafficking illicit and exploitation of vulnerable people.

According to immigration statistics published on the US Customs and Border Protection website, more than 90,000 Indians entered the United States illegally in 2022-2023.

As part of the government’s continuous efforts to raise awareness about safe and legal migration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is carrying out awareness activities among the masses. The ministry and Indian missions abroad regularly publish advisories on the dangers of illegal migration to sensitize young emigrants about fake job offers.

To make prospective workers aware of the legal requirements and working and living conditions in the destination country, the ministry organizes Pre-Departure Orientation and Training (PDOT) to ensure that Indian migrant workers undertake safe migration , know their rights and have access to Indian government social programs.