Department of Homeland Security conducts removal flight of Indian nationals without proper immigration papers

WASHINGTON – On October 22, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), conducted a large-frame charter removal flight to the Republic of India of Indian nationals who did not establish legal basis to remain in the United States.

“This week’s flight demonstrates the Department’s continued commitment to pursuing sustained cooperation with the Indian government and other international partners to reduce and deter irregular migration and jointly work to counter human smuggling,” DHS said in an Oct. 25 press release.

DHS continues to enforce U.S. immigration laws and deliver tough consequences for those who enter unlawfully, the department said. This includes swiftly returning those without a legal basis to remain in the United States, while encouraging the use of lawful pathways, it added.

According to data provided by DHS, since June 2024, when the Securing the Border Presidential Proclamation and accompanying Interim Final Rule went into effect, encounters between ports of entry along the southwest border have decreased by 55%. Since June 2024, DHS removed or returned over 160,000 individuals and operated more than 495 international repatriation flights to more than 145 countries—including India.

“Indian nationals without a legal basis to remain in the United States are subject to swift removal, and intending migrants should not fall for the lies of smugglers who proclaim otherwise,” Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Kristie A. Canegallo is quoted saying in the press release. “The Department of Homeland Security will continue to enforce our nation’s laws,” she added.

The DHS said it regularly engages with foreign governments throughout the hemisphere and around the world to accept repatriations of their nationals without a legal basis to remain in the United States.

“This is one tool among many DHS uses to reduce irregular migration, promote the use of safe, lawful, and orderly pathways, and hold transnational criminal networks accountable for smuggling and exploitation of vulnerable people,” the DHS said.

Over the last year, DHS has removed individuals to a range of countries around the world, including Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Egypt, Mauritania, Senegal, Uzbekistan, the PRC, and India.

As a result of these efforts, DHS removed or returned more individuals in FY2024 than any year since FY2010, and DHS continues to expand removal flights operations, the DHS said.