The number of Indians caught crossing illegally into the United States between January and May 2025 has dropped by 70% compared to the same period last year. This sharp decline follows the return of Donald Trump to the White House and a renewed focus on immigration enforcement. Despite the fall, 10,382 Indians, including at least 30 unaccompanied minors, many from Gujarat were apprehended at the US border in the first five months of this year, according to a report by the Times of India.
In the same period last year, under the Biden administration, US Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) had recorded 34,535 Indian apprehensions. In 2025, the average has dropped to around 69 Indians per day. USCBP data also shows a broader decline in total border apprehensions across all nationalities, falling from 81,492 in January to 28,617 in February, and hovering around 29,000 per month through May.
Officials attribute the drop to a disruption in smuggling networks that cater to Indian migrants. These syndicates reportedly scaled back their operations in late 2024 as Trump’s return to power seemed likely. A person associated with a Gujarat-based smuggling network told TOI, “The moment it became clear Trump would likely win again, routes started drying up. People still want to go, but smugglers have either scaled back or raised costs, and the fear of stricter deportation is real.”
However, the dangers of the journey remain high. On May 9, a boat carrying undocumented migrants capsized near Del Mar, California, killing 14-year-old Prince and 10-year-old Mahi. Their parents, Brijesh and Sangita Patel, survived with serious injuries. The family had attempted the sea crossing with the help of a smuggling network.
At least nine Indians have died at the US border since January 2025. These include four people from Dingucha in Gandhinagar district, four from Vasai-Dabhla village in Mehsana, and one man from Kalol. Among the 10,382 detained Indians this year, agents confirmed that at least 30 were unaccompanied minors. In several cases, families were reportedly advised by smugglers to split up, hoping that minors would face less strict detention policies.
Officials say Gujarat remains a major source of irregular migration from India. Over the past decade, networks of agents have created long, dangerous overland routes through Central America. These networks continue to take advantage of both weak border controls and the strong desire among families to seek better opportunities abroad.
(With inputs from TOI)
In the same period last year, under the Biden administration, US Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) had recorded 34,535 Indian apprehensions. In 2025, the average has dropped to around 69 Indians per day. USCBP data also shows a broader decline in total border apprehensions across all nationalities, falling from 81,492 in January to 28,617 in February, and hovering around 29,000 per month through May.
Officials attribute the drop to a disruption in smuggling networks that cater to Indian migrants. These syndicates reportedly scaled back their operations in late 2024 as Trump’s return to power seemed likely. A person associated with a Gujarat-based smuggling network told TOI, “The moment it became clear Trump would likely win again, routes started drying up. People still want to go, but smugglers have either scaled back or raised costs, and the fear of stricter deportation is real.”
However, the dangers of the journey remain high. On May 9, a boat carrying undocumented migrants capsized near Del Mar, California, killing 14-year-old Prince and 10-year-old Mahi. Their parents, Brijesh and Sangita Patel, survived with serious injuries. The family had attempted the sea crossing with the help of a smuggling network.
At least nine Indians have died at the US border since January 2025. These include four people from Dingucha in Gandhinagar district, four from Vasai-Dabhla village in Mehsana, and one man from Kalol. Among the 10,382 detained Indians this year, agents confirmed that at least 30 were unaccompanied minors. In several cases, families were reportedly advised by smugglers to split up, hoping that minors would face less strict detention policies.
Officials say Gujarat remains a major source of irregular migration from India. Over the past decade, networks of agents have created long, dangerous overland routes through Central America. These networks continue to take advantage of both weak border controls and the strong desire among families to seek better opportunities abroad.
(With inputs from TOI)
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