Washington, D.C.: A total of 10,382 Indian nationals, including 30 minors, were apprehended between January and mid-May 2025 while attempting to illegally enter the United States, according to the latest data released by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The majority of those arrested were reportedly from the state of Gujarat.
The CBP report highlights a significant reduction in illegal entries by Indian nationals compared to the same period last year, when 34,535 individuals were caught—indicating a 70% decline. On average, 69 Indians are now being detained daily, down from approximately 230 daily arrests during the previous Biden administration. Following Donald Trump’s return to office, smuggling networks facilitating unauthorized migration are believed to have curtailed their activities in response to stricter enforcement.
The report also noted that, during the 2024 fiscal year, U.S. authorities took custody of around 500 unaccompanied Indian minors who were abandoned at the U.S.–Mexico and U.S.–Canada borders. Many parents had reportedly hoped their children would obtain U.S. citizenship. However, the Trump administration has introduced a tougher stance on such cases, with most of the minors found to be between the ages of 12 and 17.
As of April 2024, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security estimated that approximately 220,000 Indian nationals were residing in the country without legal documentation. From January to May 2025, 332 Indians were deported from the U.S. back to India.