Rising Illegal Migration to the U.S. from India, Especially Gujarat

In pursuit of the American dream, some Indians, particularly from Gujarat, are taking risky and illegal routes to settle in the United States, with many facing life-threatening journeys, arrests, and detainment in U.S. jails.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data, during the last fiscal year (October 1, 2023 - September 30, 2024), around 2.9 million people were apprehended attempting to enter the U.S. illegally, with 90,415 of them being Indian nationals. This averages to nearly 10 Indians caught every hour, and almost 50% of them hail from Gujarat.

Most illegal entries occur through Mexico or Canada. The route from Mexico, commonly referred to as the "Donkey Route," has become increasingly risky due to U.S. surveillance efforts, with agents temporarily holding migrants in Dubai or Turkey before their journey.

Recently, the Canadian border is being used more frequently; individuals often enter Canada on tourist visas and attempt to cross into the U.S. from there. Those apprehended at this border are usually sent back to Canada, although many manage to cross undetected.