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Accident – Death – Obituary News : Record Number of Indians Arrested While Crossing Illegally into the USA
In a startling revelation, the latest data from the US Customs and Border Protection (UCBP) has shown that from November 2022 to September 2023, a staggering 96,917 Indians were arrested while attempting to cross the border into the USA illegally. This number marks a five-fold increase since 2019 and highlights the growing trend of people willing to undertake extreme risks to reach the United States.
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Of the apprehended individuals, a shocking 45,000 Indians claimed to have fled their country due to fear. This raises concerns about the conditions and circumstances driving these individuals to risk their lives and undertake such perilous journeys. Senator James Lankford has shed some light on this issue, revealing that criminal cartels in Mexico are involved in human trafficking and are coaching migrants from all over the world on how to manipulate the asylum process and gain entry into the US.
Addressing the US Senate, Senator Lankford stated, “So far this year we’ve had 45,000 people from India that have crossed our southern border, paid the cartels, crossed into our country, and said they have fear in their country from India.” This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for both the US and Indian authorities to address the underlying issues that are driving these individuals to embark on such dangerous journeys.
Analyzing the data further, it is revealed that out of the total arrests, 30,010 Indians were caught attempting to cross the border from Canada, while 41,770 were apprehended at the southern frontier with Mexico. This breakdown highlights the presence of multiple entry points and routes utilized by those attempting to enter the US illegally.
A closer look at the year-wise data reveals a steady increase in the number of Indians arrested or apprehended. In 2019-20, 19,883 Indians were apprehended, which rose to 30,662 in 2020-21, and reached a staggering 63,927 in 2021-22. These figures indicate a growing desperation among individuals to leave their home country and seek refuge in the United States, regardless of the risks involved.
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The US authorities classify those arrested into four categories: Accompanied Minors (AM), Individuals in a Family Unit (FMUA), Single Adults, and Unaccompanied Children (UC). Among these categories, single adults constitute the largest group, with 84,000 Indian adults illegally crossing into the US in fiscal year 2023. Additionally, 730 unaccompanied minors were among the arrested individuals, raising concerns about the safety and wellbeing of these vulnerable children.
While the US authorities do not provide state-wise figures for individuals coming from India, local officials, including the police and other agencies, have identified Gujarat and Punjab as the major source states for illegal migration to the USA and Canada. These states have seen the establishment of networks by agents involved in smuggling people through various routes.
The persistence and even increase in the influx of illegal immigrants from Gujarat and Punjab is concerning, especially in light of the tragic events that have unfolded during these dangerous border crossings. In January 2022, a Gujarati family of four lost their lives near the US-Canada border, succumbing to blizzard conditions and freezing temperatures. Similarly, in April of this year, another Gujarati family of four tragically drowned in the St. Lawrence River when their boat sank. These incidents highlight the grave risks involved and the devastating consequences that can result from such ventures.
In January this year, nine individuals from Gujarat who left for the USA through human trafficking agents were arrested, and their whereabouts remain unknown. Their families have filed FIRs (First Information Reports), and a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Gujarat High Court to trace their whereabouts. The High Court has directed the Ministry of External Affairs to coordinate with authorities in the Caribbean islands to aid in the search for these missing individuals.
Following the deaths of four members of a Gujarati family at the US-Canada border, several FIRs have been filed against agents involved in luring individuals who wished to leave for the USA or Canada. While arrests have been made, these cases often fail to reach a conclusive resolution, allowing agents to secure bail within months. The complex nature of such cases, involving illegal activities and cash transactions, makes it difficult for victim families to pursue legal action.
In conclusion, the significant increase in the number of Indians arrested while attempting to cross the US border illegally highlights the pressing need for comprehensive measures to address the underlying issues driving this trend. Cooperation between Indian and US authorities, along with efforts to dismantle human trafficking networks, is crucial in ensuring the safety and well-being of those seeking a better life. Additionally, addressing the root causes of fear and desperation in the home country is essential to addressing this growing crisis..
