Modi calls for crackdown on human trafficking amid Trump’s campaign against illegal immigrants

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday stressed the urgent need for India and the United States to collaborate in dismantling human trafficking networks, highlighting the plight of ordinary families deceived by false promises.

“These individuals come from common backgrounds and are misled with grand illusions. We must dismantle this entire system of human trafficking. India and the US should work together to eradicate this ecosystem and put an end to such exploitation. We are confident that President Trump will extend full cooperation in this endeavour,” Prime Minister Modi said at a joint press conference at the White House along with President Trump.

US deportations and India’s response

Recently, a US military flight carrying 104 Indian immigrants deported from the US landed in Amritsar. These individuals were part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigration, with the US intensifying deportations of undocumented migrants. Another flight with 205 Indian nationals will soon be on its way to India as part of this ongoing drive.

The US government has been using military aircraft to speed up deportations, and India has agreed to accept the return of its nationals after verifying their identities. The deportation campaign has caused signiicant distress among Indian immigrants, especially those who have lived in the US for years.

“Individuals residing illegally in foreign nations have no legal claim to remain there. As for India and the US, we have always maintained that those who are verified as Indian citizens—if living in the US illegally—India is prepared to accept their return,” he said.

Scale of deportations

Recent data indicates that over 1,100 Indians were deported from the US in the last 12 months due to illegal immigration and visa fraud schemes. Additionally, nearly 18,000 Indians are at risk of deportation amid tightening US immigration policies and crackdowns on fraudulent job offers promising legal entry into the country.

With the US ramping up immigration enforcement, the number of Indian nationals deported has surged, reaching 1,500 in 2024—nearly four times the 400 deportations recorded in 2023.

Human trafficking and its victims

Many victims of human trafficking end up trapped in exploitative conditions, believing they have secured legitimate jobs. The US has been actively deporting individuals who entered on fraudulent work visas or were smuggled in through human trafficking networks. Indian authorities are working with their US counterparts to address this growing concern.

A study by Abby Budiman and Devesh Kapur from Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies highlights a dramatic shift in unauthorised Indian migration to the United States. Once a minor concern, the issue has gained prominence due to a sharp rise in border apprehensions, asylum applications and deportations of Indian nationals.

Evolving migration trends

Data from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Pew Research Center and Center for Migration Studies indicate a surge in undocumented Indian arrivals reflecting evolving migration patterns and shifting US immigration policies. While DHS reports a decline in the total number of unauthorized Indian immigrants, independent research suggests their numbers exceed 700,000 as of 2022.

Official figures show a staggering 40-fold increase in apprehensions of Indian migrants at US borders between 2020 and 2023. Additionally, an emerging trend sees more Indians attempting to enter via the US-Canada border rather than traditional crossings through Mexico.

A report by Sayli Dhodapkar in Firstpost sheds light on the increasing number of Indian nationals attempting to enter the US illegally via the northern border with Canada. US Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) data for the fiscal year—spanning October 2023 to September 2024—reveals a sharp rise in such crossings.

In 2022, Indians accounted for nearly 16% of the 109,535 illegal border crossings. The situation escalated in 2023, with total crossings reaching 189,402, of which 30,010 were Indian migrants. The upward trend has continued into 2024, with 43,764 Indians—comprising 22 per cent of the 198,929 total crossings—apprehended at the US-Canada border.

Human trafficking and legal frameworks in India

Human trafficking is the unlawful exploitation of individuals for forced labour, sexual exploitation or involuntary servitude. It involves recruiting, transporting, transferring, harbouring, or receiving people through threats, coercion, abduction, fraud, or deception, all with the intent of exploiting them.

According to the 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report: India, released by the US Department of State, there are loopholes in how India deals with the human trafficking issue.

The report said that India has yet to fully comply with the minimum standards for eradicating human trafficking, though it continues to make notable progress. While the central government provides policy oversight, the responsibility for anti-trafficking initiatives largely falls on individual states and Union Territories. The conviction rate for trafficking offences remains low, weakening deterrence and accountability.

India does have constitutional and legislative provisions related to trafficking. According to the ministry of External Affairs, trafficking in human beings or persons is prohibited under the Constitution of India under Article 23 (1). The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (ITPA) is the premier legislation for prevention of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation.

The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2013 has come into force wherein Section 370 of the Indian Penal Code has been substituted with Section 370 and 370A IPC, which provide for comprehensive measures to counter the menace of human trafficking, including trafficking of children for exploitation in any form including physical exploitation or any form of sexual exploitation, slavery, servitude, or the forced removal of organs.

The Anti-Trafficking Cell was set up in the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2006 to act as a focal point for communicating various decisions and following up on actions taken by the state governments to combat the crime of human trafficking.

India has ratified the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organised Crime (UNCTOC), which has as one of its Protocols the Prevention, Suppression, and Punishment of Trafficking in Persons, particularly Women and Children. Various actions have been taken to implement the convention, and as per protocol, the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2013 has been enacted wherein human trafficking has specifically been defined.

Coordination is key

The issue of human trafficking and illegal migration between India and the US remains a complex challenge requiring coordinated efforts. As both nations ramp up their enforcement measures and diplomatic collaborations, ensuring the protection of trafficking victims and lawful immigration procedures will be paramount. Addressing policy gaps, improving enforcement and strengthening bilateral agreements will play a crucial role in dismantling trafficking networks and ensuring justice for victims.