On his first day in office, President Donald Trump unveiled a sweeping immigration crackdown, emphasizing the southern border with Mexico and criminal cartels. However, this policy shift has also raised concerns in New Delhi, particularly for the 20,407 undocumented Indians facing uncertain futures in the United States.

As of November 2024, these individuals fall into two categories: 17,940 are under final removal orders but not detained, while 2,467 remain in detention under the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Indians now constitute the fourth-largest national group in ICE custody and the largest among Asians. Overall, ICE currently detains more than 37,000 non-citizens from various countries.

A final removal order, issued by an immigration judge, becomes binding once affirmed by an appellate authority. ICE has identified India as one of 15 "uncooperative" nations, citing reluctance to accept deported nationals. This designation includes delays in removal proceedings, refusal to conduct consular interviews, and resistance to accepting deportees via charter flights.

Non-citizens can appeal removal orders to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). Even when a final order is upheld, deportations may not occur due to protective provisions under the Convention Against Torture or established risks of persecution in their home countries.

The deportation of Indians from the US has surged dramatically, rising from 292 in 2021 to 1,529 in 2024, according to ICE's annual report. However, data discrepancies remain. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh informed the Lok Sabha that 519 Indians were deported between November 2023 and October 2024. In contrast, the Department of Homeland Security reported 1,100 deportations during the same period, including voluntary departures and withdrawals.

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Mumbai (PTI): Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan has met auto-rickshaw driver Bhajan Singh Rana, who rushed him to hospital after he was injured in the knife attack at his home in Mumbai, and thanked him for the help.

The actor also gave the driver some money and assured all help to him whenever needed.

Khan (54) was repeatedly stabbed with a knife by an intruder inside his 12th-floor apartment in the upscale Bandra area in the wee hours of January 16.

The actor suffered multiple stab injuries in the attack and underwent an emergency surgery at the Lilavati Hospital. He returned home on Tuesday.

Khan met Singh Rana on Tuesday at the hospital before getting discharged.

"I met him (Saif) yesterday at the hospital. He called to thank me, to help him reach the hospital. He praised me. I got the blessings from him and his family," the auto-rickshaw driver told PTI.

"He (Khan) introduced me to his mother (Sharmila Tagore), and I touched her feet. He gave me (money) whatever he felt was right, and said whenever I need help he will be there," Singh Rana said.

The intruder, Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, a Bangladeshi national who had illegally entered India and changed his name to Vijay Das, was held on Sunday from adjoining Thane city.

A preliminary investigation suggests the accused had entered the actor's home intending to commit theft, according to police.

He gained entry into the actor's building here by scaling its compound wall and went inside the main entrance after finding the security guards asleep, the police earlier said.