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Modi-Trump Talks: Will India Ask US to Stop Handcuffing Migrants Before Deportation?
Feb 12, 2025 05:50 pm
By
infodivyadelhi

What will Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump talk during Modi's two-day visit to the White House?Will he discuss the repatriation of illegal Indian migrants, new and punitive taxes on Indian goods, waiving sanctions on Iran's Chabahar Port, investing in mini nuclear reactors, and transferring technical know-how in cutting-edge technologies?Will Donald Trump pressure PM Modi in a harsh bargain as US-India ties will be more transactional than value-based? The Trump-Modi summit would be conducted days after the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement had deported 104 Indian illegal migrants, with hands tied and feet shackled and packed aboard a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster jet, for which the government in India came under withering accusations from the Opposition.Analysts think this topic will be discussed, but PM Modi will likely try to convince Trump to treat illegal migrants kindly. After sending 104 Indian illegal migrants back, the ICE has identified more than 800 Indians for prompt deportation and they are simply waiting for the final order.Reports say over 20,000 illegal Indian migrants have been detected, lost appeals, and are being deported. India will take back all unlawful migrants. Most of the 725,000 undocumented Indian immigrants in the US came via the "donkey route."Washington may note how Indians illegally enter the US via the donkey method, which PM Modi may struggle to defend. The US may want to stop these folks at the source to lessen ICE's workload.PM Modi may also stress that Indian migrants are not criminals and shouldn't be treated as such. They shouldn't be chained or handcuffed during deportation. He may also ask Donald Trump to offer additional H1 B visas to Indian experts.An estimated 4.5 million Indians, including some Indian Americans and many on H1 B visas, live in the US.Most of the Indian migrants are in white-collar occupations, including IT, medical and management. Some have risen to high management in Silicon Valley, while others have start-ups.These Indians are recognized in the US for their work ethic and expertise. India may also stress that the wives of Indian workers in the US should have work visas like before. PM Modi may stress this image and wish to offer Indians greater respect and opportunities while accepting illegal Indian migrants.