With Donald Trump’s return to the White House as the 47th President of the United States, immigration reform has taken center stage once again. According to the key points in his agenda stricter enforcement of immigration laws, has significant implications for countries like India and others with large populations of undocumented migrants in the U.S.
India has taken a proactive approach to Trump’s stricter immigration stance, agreeing to repatriate 18,000 citizens in the United States. This decision, reported in January 2025, reflects India’s efforts to maintain positive diplomatic relations with the U.S. and secure continued access to visa programs for its citizens. The move underscores India’s growing emphasis on managing migration issues amidst evolving global dynamics.
A broader look at unauthorized immigrants in the U.S.
The United States is estimated to house 11 million unauthorized immigrants, according to the Migrants Policy Institute. These individuals come from various countries, each facing varying levels of enforcement under the Trump administration’s intensified focus on immigration control. Below is a breakdown of unauthorized immigrant populations by country or region:
- Mexico: approximately 4.81 million, representing the largest share at nearly 40% of the total undocumented population as per the Statista Report.
- Central and South America: together with Mexico, these regions contribute nearly 80% of the undocumented population as per the Migration Policy Insitute report.
- India: Around 220,000 unauthorized immigrants, or 2%, of the undocumented population as per the New York Post report.
- China and the Phillippines: Significant but smaller portions of the total population, reflect the global spread of immigration challenges.
Globally the Trump administration signaled an aggressive, push toward deportations, prioritizing individuals with criminal records. In 2024, a record 271,484 deportations were carried out under the Biden administration, a number likely to increase with Trump’s policies as per the EL Païs report.
Countries like Mexico are preparing for this uptick, with initiatives such as the “Mexico Embraces You” program, which establishes temporary shelters for deportees near border cities like Ciudad Juarez as per the Reuters report.
Altogether, Trump’s emphasis on stringent immigration policies is not only shaping the U.S. domestic policy but also creating ripple effects across the world.