The Department of State has imposed visa restrictions on owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies based in and operating in India for knowingly facilitating illegal immigration to the United States.
According to spokesperson Tammy Bruce, “Mission India’s Consular Affairs and Diplomatic Security Service work every day across our Embassy and Consulates to actively identify and target those engaged in facilitating illegal immigration and human smuggling and trafficking operations. We will continue to take steps to impose visa restrictions against owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies to cut off alien smuggling networks”.
In early February, a US military plane had brought 104 deported Indian illegal immigrants to Amritsar, in the northern state of Punjab. It was the first time a military aircraft was used to deport illegal aliens to India.
According to Indian police, 30 immigrants were from Punjab and 33 each from Gujrat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state, and Haryana.
The step was taken a week before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House.
‘’Our immigration policy aims not only to inform foreign nationals about the dangers of illegal immigration to the United States but also to hold accountable individuals who violate our laws, including facilitators of illegal immigration,’’ remarked Bruce.
According to DHS, the Trump administration has deported 152,000 illegal migrants so far.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said: “If you are here illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest.’’
The Pentagon has also planned to deport more than 5,000 migrants, of various nationalities, held by US authorities across the country.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has offered a $1000 stipend and travel assistance to migrants who opt to voluntarily ‘’self-deport’ themselves from the United States.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the average cost of arresting, detaining and deporting an illegal migrant is around $17,000, while the stipend and potential airfare for a migrant, depending on where he/she is being deported, is almost one third.
Analysts believe there are almost 14 million immigrants who lack legal status and the Trump administration has vowed to deport all those who have violated immigration laws.
Tammy Bruce said: “Enforcing US immigration laws and policies is critical to upholding the rule of law and protecting Americans. This visa restriction policy is global and even applies to individuals who otherwise qualify for the Visa Waiver Program”.
Though the United States has currently taken action against Indian travel agencies involved in illegal immigration, experts say, other countries must also keep an eye on their travel agents to avoid such humiliation.
