Why Illegal Indian Migration to US Has Plunged 69% Since 2023
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Fear of deportation and tougher border enforcement have triggered a sharp decline in illegal migration from India to the United States, with encounters involving Indian nationals falling by 69% from their 2023 peak, according to an analysis of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data.
The figures suggest that stricter immigration policies and an increased likelihood of being deported are discouraging many Indians from attempting the costly and often dangerous journey to the United States through unauthorised routes.
CBP data, analysed through May of fiscal year (FY) 2026, recorded 20,614 encounters with Indian migrants nationwide. That is a steep decline from more than 67,000 encounters during the same period in FY2023, when illegal migration from India reached its highest level. The latest total is also significantly lower than the nearly 29,000 encounters recorded during the corresponding period in FY2025.
The fall comes amid an intensified crackdown on illegal immigration by US authorities, who have strengthened border controls and stepped up deportations of undocumented migrants. The growing risk of being detained and returned to India appears to have altered the calculations of many prospective migrants who might otherwise have attempted to enter the country illegally.
The most striking decline has been recorded along the US-Mexico border, where encounters involving Indian nationals have plunged by almost 99%. Border authorities reported just 417 encounters through May FY2026, compared with more than 30,000 during the same period in FY2023.
The US-Canada border has also witnessed a significant reduction, with encounters involving Indian migrants dropping by 91% from previous highs. Despite the decline, Canada continues to serve as a preferred transit point for some migrants because of its large Indian diaspora and established community networks.
Immigration experts say the tougher enforcement regime has substantially reduced the chances of undocumented migrants remaining in the United States after entering illegally. Gilbert Guerra of the Niskanen Center reportedly said the reduced likelihood of securing a favourable immigration outcome has made many prospective migrants reconsider spending substantial sums on irregular migration, particularly as journeys from India are expensive and difficult to repeat if unsuccessful.
