What was once a steady flow of Indians attempting to cross into the United States illegally has now slowed to a trickle, according to data from the past four US fiscal years.
As per a report in an English language national daily, figures from the US Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) reveal that the number of Indian nationals intercepted at US borders dropped from 63,927 in FY 2022 to 34,146 in FY 2025 — a 47% fall. Compared to FY 2024’s 90,415 cases, the decline is even more dramatic at 62%.
Officials have been quoted saying that this drop reflects not only tougher border enforcement but also growing awareness of the dangers among communities in migration-heavy states such as Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana. The trend also points to a shift in human smuggling operations, which appear to be slowing down or changing routes.
Globally, the total number of encounters at the US border stood at 2.9 million in FY 2024, 3.2 million in FY 2023, and 2.7 million in FY 2022. While global migration has fluctuated, the decline among Indian nationals stands out as especially steep.
In September 2025, the final month of the fiscal year, 1,147 Indians were stopped while trying to cross illegally — a small share of the 6,91,906 people apprehended worldwide that year.
Throughout FY 2025, single adults made up the majority of Indian nationals intercepted (31,480), followed by 2,552 family units. Authorities also encountered 91 unaccompanied children and 23 minors who were traveling with adults.
Migration agents in Gujarat’s northern and central regions — once known for organizing journeys through so-called “dunki routes” — have significantly reduced their activities. Families are increasingly hesitant to take the risk, especially after the tragic deaths of an Indian family from Dingucha at the US–Canada border in 2022, and another near the Rio Grande in 2023.
Officials note that the presence of children at the border remains a serious humanitarian concern. Even though overall numbers are down, the 91 unaccompanied minors caught this year indicate that some families are still willing to take desperate measures, hoping US authorities will show leniency toward children.
“The American route is still seen as a life-changing gamble,” said a senior immigration official. “The drop in numbers doesn’t mean people have given up on the dream — it just means the risks are clearer and the price is higher.”
Experts believe that factors such as limited job opportunities, rising educational aspirations, and the lure of dollar earnings continue to fuel migration dreams — though now tempered with far greater caution than before.
Also Read: Illegal Immigration: US Acts Against Indian Facilitators https://www.vibesofindia.com/illegal-immigration-us-acts-against-indian-facilitators/
