Donald Trump's reelection campaign has made a central pledge to carry out the "largest domestic deportation operation in American history," targeting up to 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., including an estimated 725,000 undocumented Indians. Many of these immigrants, especially Gujaratis, attempt to cross the U.S. border illegally, with reports showing an average of 10 Indian nationals arrested every hour during FY2024.
Trump's immigration policy focuses on making it harder to cross the U.S. border, particularly through Mexico or Canada, though some Indian immigrants hope that their strong work ethic may result in less scrutiny. There is also a belief among some in Gujarat that Trump's good relationship with PM Modi could help reduce their challenges.
Trump's immigration agenda, guided by Stephen Miller, may involve the deployment of U.S. troops and the use of 18th-century wartime powers for border enforcement. However, immigration advocates have raised concerns about the potential cost, divisiveness, and inhumanity of these deportation plans.
