Background on Immigration Policies
- President Donald Trump’s administration introduced aggressive immigration policies targeting undocumented migrants.
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)
- Key pledge: Deport millions of “criminal aliens” (undocumented migrants), often overstating numbers (15-20 million).
- Official estimates: ~11 million undocumented migrants, with some estimates rising to 13-14 million. 2.1 lakh Indians included in 2022 estimates.
Duration of Stay
- 80% of the estimated 11 million undocumented migrants have lived in the U.S. for over a decade.
- 1.5 million entered between 1980-1990, many of whom have established long-term residency.
Impact of Policy Changes
- Trump’s administration dismissed key immigration court officials, affecting asylum decision-making.
- Asylum applications facing delays: 3.5 million pending cases as of 2024, up from 2.4 million in Q4 of 2023.
- Closure of the CBP One mobile app, a key tool for asylum requests.
Surge in Indian Migrants
- Surge in illegal migration from India: 1,500 Indian migrants apprehended a decade ago, rising sharply to 96,917 in 2023 and 90,415 in 2024.
- Similar increase in Indian asylum seekers, reflecting broader immigration patterns.
Criminality and Crime Data
- Trump’s claims of undocumented migrants fueling violent crime contradict data:
- Violent crime rate among undocumented migrants in Texas (2012-2018) was half of that of U.S.-born citizens and lower than documented immigrants.
- Misrepresentation of migrant criminality undermines broader policy claims.
Workforce Contribution
- Undocumented migrants play a vital role in sectors like construction, agriculture, and essential services.
- 2018 study: 5.5 million undocumented migrants contribute to the U.S. workforce.
- Key sectors: construction, agriculture, landscaping, laundry, auto repair, and sanitation.
- Mass deportation could severely disrupt these sectors, impacting economic stability.
Potential Impact of Deportation
- Mass deportation risks harming essential services that depend on undocumented migrant labor.
- Immediate sectors affected: construction sites, farms, restaurants, and essential services like landscaping and sanitation.
