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What Indians at Mexico Border Can Expect From US Elections

The US has granted asylum to leading Indian figures like Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, but migration remains a critical issue, with both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump likely to enforce strict measures that risk deportation or detention for Indian nationals entering illegally through Mexico, according to experts.
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The Indian Embassy in Mexico issued a strict advisory warning Indians against traveling to the country on 10 September after increasing difficulties faced by Indian citizens seeking to cross to the US, such as extended detentions and deportations at the borders, were reported.
The advisory highlights the growing migration patterns of Indian nationals, particularly those attempting to enter the United States through Mexico.
The number of migrants has risen sharply, positioning Mexico as a crucial transit hub for Indian travelers, it added.

A 2022 report from the Pew Research Center indicated that there are 725,000 unauthorized Indian immigrants in the US, making them the third largest group of undocumented immigrants following Mexico and El Salvador.

Each person seeking to reach their dream destination can often reportedly pay between $50,000 and $100,000.
The high profitability and constant demand have led to the involvement of thousands of traffickers, primarily concentrated in the northern Indian states of Punjab and Haryana.

The term 'Donkey routes,' or 'Dunki flight,' a Punjabi phrase for 'hopping routes,' refers to the prevalent method where smugglers first send migrants to countries with relaxed visa rules, like Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, or Guatemala.

From these locations, the migrants embark on a lengthy journey guided by coyotes and overseen by criminal gangs.
The challenges of the routes vary on the amount of money paid, with payments made at specified points along the way and the final sum given at the US border.

“Migration, especially illegal migration from Mexico, has been a critical issue in the US election debate, with both Democrats and Republicans prioritizing it, and both administrations will likely maintain strict policies against illegal immigration via Mexico,” Dr Suvrokamal Dutta, and international conservative political, economic and foreign policy expert, told Sputnik India.

Dutta emphasised that Mexico and the US have different approaches to handling migration. Mexico prefers resolving migration issues through international laws and treaties rather than using harsh measures.

In contrast, some in the US view illegal migration as a threat to its economy and social fabric, leading to strict policies from both political parties, he asserted.

Meanwhile, ironically, the US has provided asylum to individuals like pro-Khalistan activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, despite being designated a terrorist by the Indian government, according to the pundit.
Dutta pointed out that the current Biden administration has shown more leniency toward asylum seekers from West Asia.

However, Dutta asserted that the former Trump administration, known for its stringent approach, was notably rigid on migration and asylum issues, and if Trump were to return to power, his policies on immigration would likely be even more stringent than before.

During his presidency, Trump began with stringent visa policies for Indians but relaxed them later after fostering a good relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, easing restrictions for work, student, and settlement visas, he added.
Ironically, Dutta mentioned that considering that the original inhabitants of America were Native Americans, and the majority of modern Americans have European roots, all Americans can be seen as immigrants in a historical context.

Regarding Indians who are currently stuck at the Mexico border, it’s more probable that Mexico might deport these individuals or place them in detention centres while negotiating with the Indian government for their repatriation, he stated.

At the same time, Dutta emphasised that Kamala Harris, often criticized by Republicans as the 'failed border czar,' may face significant scrutiny and impact on immigration policy if she wins the presidential election, given ongoing accusations over her role in handling the issue.

Dutta suggested that the Indian government should be more vigilant and cautious regarding illegal immigration from India into the US through Mexico.

“There have been numerous instances where individuals from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other nations have ended up in jails or detention centers, leading to extremely harsh conditions,” he concluded.
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