NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Washington, D.C., October 27, 2024: On October 22, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) arranged a flight returning a group of Indian nationals to India because they did not have legal permission to stay in the United States. This flight is part of DHS’s ongoing work with the Indian government and other countries to prevent unlawful migration and stop human smuggling.
Since June 2024, when new border rules took effect, DHS has seen a 55% drop in people trying to enter the U.S. illegally across the southwest border. DHS has organized over 495 flights this year, returning more than 160,000 individuals to their home countries, including India.
Kristie A. Canegallo, a top official at DHS, emphasized that migrants who do not have legal status are quickly sent back and warned against believing smugglers who promise otherwise. “Indian nationals without legal grounds to stay in the United States will be swiftly removed,” Canegallo said. “The Department of Homeland Security will continue to enforce our nation’s laws.”
DHS collaborates regularly with other countries to arrange for the return of people without legal U.S. residency. This effort is part of DHS’s broader plan to reduce illegal migration, offer safe and legal ways to migrate, and hold smugglers accountable for exploiting vulnerable people. DHS has returned individuals to various countries, including Colombia, Egypt, and China, with 2024 seeing the highest number of removals since 2010.