PM Modi in the US: India Ready to Take Back Illegal Immigrants, Calls for Joint Action Against Human Trafficking
Washington, D.C. February 14, 2025
During a joint press conference with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the issue of illegal immigration, emphasizing the urgent need to combat human trafficking at a global level. Modi stated that India is fully prepared to take back any verified Indian living illegally in the U.S., while also highlighting the importance of dismantling the criminal networks that exploit vulnerable individuals under false promises.
Describing human trafficking as an organized โecosystemโ that preys on people with big dreams, Modi called for a unified international effort to eradicate these illicit operations. His remarks align with President Trumpโs immigration policies, which have placed illegal immigration and border security at the forefront of the U.S. domestic agenda.
Indiaโs Stance on Illegal Immigration: A Willingness to Repatriate Verified Citizens
PM Modi reiterated Indiaโs long-standing position that any Indian citizen verified as residing illegally in the U.S. should be repatriated. However, he underscored that the core issue extends beyond repatriation and lies in breaking the chain of human trafficking networks that mislead people into illegal migration.
โThose who stay in other countries illegally do not have any legal right to be there. As far as India and the U.S. are concerned, we have always said that those who are verified and truly the citizens of Indiaโif they live in the U.S. illegally, India is ready to take them back,โ Modi stated.
At the same time, he emphasized that this problem should not be seen in isolation but rather as part of a larger international challenge requiring coordinated intervention.
Cracking Down on Human Trafficking: Modiโs Call for a Global Initiative
Modi made a strong appeal to dismantle the transnational human trafficking networks that deceive individuals into illegal migration under false pretenses.
โThese are people from ordinary families. They are shown big dreams and most of them are misled and brought here. We should attack this entire system of human trafficking. It should be a joint effort by the U.S. and India to destroy such an ecosystem from its roots so that human trafficking ends,โ he declared.
The Indian Prime Minister expressed confidence that President Trump will fully cooperate with India in efforts to eradicate human trafficking and illegal migration at its source.
Bilateral Cooperation: U.S. Immigration Policy and Indian Skilled Workers
While Trumpโs administration has focused on tightening immigration laws and strengthening border security, Modi has consistently advocated for smoother visa policies for Indian skilled professionals, particularly those on H-1B visas.
Indians account for a majority of H-1B visa holders, a category Trump has previously expressed support for, as it facilitates the entry of high-skilled professionals into the U.S. workforce. The contrast between illegal immigration and high-skilled legal migration remains a key point of discussion, with both leaders seeking a balance between security concerns and economic cooperation.
