EAM Jaishankar amid Trump crackdown: ‘Open to legitimate return of undocumented Indians’

On Wednesday, external affairs minister S Jaishankar stated that India has consistently been receptive to the “legitimate return” of undocumented Indian immigrants to their homeland, as reported by news agency. S Jaishankar further mentioned that the government was still verifying individuals from the US who might be deported to India and indicated that they had not yet established a figure.

“As a government, we are obviously very much supportive of legal mobility because we do believe in a global workplace. We want Indian talent and Indian skills to have the maximum opportunity at the global level. At the same time, we are also very firmly opposed to illegal mobility and illegal migration,” Jaishankar told reporters.

The minister stated that India has consistently asserted, alongside the US and other nations, that any Indian citizen found to be an illegal immigrant is invited to return to their homeland via lawful means. He noted that illegal immigration is connected to various unlawful activities that harm the nation’s reputation. Previously, reports indicated that India was collaborating with President Donald Trump’s administration to deport 180,000 Indians in the United States who are either undocumented or have exceeded their visa duration.

“This position is not unique to the United States. I do understand that right now there is a certain debate going on, and a resulting sensitivity which is there, but we have been consistent, we have been very principled about it and that remains our position. I conveyed that clearly to Secretary (of State, Marco) Rubio,” said Jaishankar on the Trump administrations crackdown on immigration. Jaishankar stated that, during bilateral talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he mentioned that it was in the mutual interest of both countries to find solutions which would legally aid mobility. “If it takes 400-odd days of waiting period to get a visa, I don’t think the relationship is well served by this. He (Rubio) also noted that point,” he said.