As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, his administration is gearing up to enforce one of the largest deportation initiatives in U.S. history. This move puts approximately 18,000 undocumented Indians at risk of being sent back to India.

A recent report by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) highlights that 1.45 million undocumented immigrants are slated for deportation. Among them, undocumented individuals from India rank 13th, with 17,940 facing removal. In Asia, China leads with 37,908 undocumented immigrants, while neighboring countries like Honduras and Guatemala top the global list with 261,000 and 253,000 individuals, respectively.

The Times of India reports that in the past three years, roughly 90,000 Indians were apprehended attempting to enter the U.S. illegally. Most of these individuals are believed to come from states like Punjab, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh, driven by economic aspirations and hopes for a better future.

For many undocumented Indians, the process of legalizing their status in the U.S. has been long and complicated, with waiting periods stretching over two to three years. This leaves them vulnerable to deportation as stricter border security measures take effect.

India has been categorized as one of the "uncooperative" countries in the deportation process by ICE, along with nations like Bhutan, Pakistan, Cuba, and Venezuela. This classification stems from delays in conducting interviews, issuing travel documents, and accepting deportees in line with ICE’s removal protocols. Such a designation could potentially strain diplomatic relations between India and the United States.

Trump's immigration policies have sparked widespread concern among immigrant communities, including the Indian diaspora, as the administration vows to enforce these measures swiftly and comprehensively.

The deportation drive marks a significant policy shift, underscoring the challenges faced by undocumented immigrants and the complexities of international cooperation on immigration issues.