US Deportation News:
Millions of Indians who have been living in the United States for years might see their dreams shattered. The threat of deportation now hangs over 3.5 million Indians, not just 100, 200, or 500. Among them, 1.4 million are from Punjab.
The Trump administration is working on deporting illegal Indian immigrants from the US. So far, 332 Indians who entered the US illegally have been deported and sent back on various dates. The majority, 128 of them, are from Punjab.
Now, with the latest news, many other Indians living in the US, along with their families in India, are filled with anxiety. It’s not just about 100, 200, or 500 anymore; 1.4 million Punjabis are now facing the risk of deportation.
US President Donald Trump has unexpectedly dismissed 20 immigration judges without any prior notice. This decision has caused increased concern among the 3.5 million people who had applied for refugee status. The dismissal of these judges could lead to further delays in cases, raising the risk of deportation for approximately 1.4 million Punjabis who have been living in the US for years. According to Rana Tutt, a resident of the US, this will cause significant harm to many Punjabi youth.
The immigration court system was already overwhelmed with a massive backlog of cases, causing years-long delays in legal proceedings. According to senior writer Balwinder Singh Bajwa, who has worked closely with the Punjabi community in the US for years, about 40% of the pending cases are related to people of Punjabi origin. Therefore, any delay in processing could also result in their deportation. In June 2024, an offer was made to grant legal status to 500,000 immigrants. These immigration judges were technically brought in by Trump’s administration.
Trump Administration’s Actions
The Trump administration has put pressure on immigration judges to expedite cases. Last month, the Justice Department also cut off financial assistance to non-governmental organizations providing legal aid to people facing deportation. This dismissal directly impacts two of Trump’s main priorities: mass deportations and reducing the size of the federal government.
Impact in Canada as Well
The Canadian immigration department (IRCC) has also announced a 25% reduction in its staff over the next three years, while 2.2 million applications are still pending. This will slow down the Permanent Residency (PR) process in Canada as well.
Cases Taking Longer to Process, Says Tutt
According to Rana Tutt, the number of pending cases in immigration courts is increasing, leading to a rise in the number of illegal immigrants in the country. Since it takes so long for cases to go through the system, many people waiting for their cases to be processed begin to settle in their communities. Immigration processes will definitely slow down, and this will harm many Punjabi youth.
Indians Deported from the US This Month
- February 5: 104 Indians deported, including 30 Punjabis
- February 15: 116 Indians deported, including 67 Punjabis
- February 16: 112 Indians deported, including 31 Punjabis