Like Bahubali 2, Donald Trump made a stunning comeback with his thumping victory in the US presidential election 2024. Since a stiff immigration crackdown was the mainstay of his re-election campaigns, immigrants in America are wondering whether his great political comeback is a bane or boon for them in the coming days. Trump’s electoral campaign site and his first speech as the President-elect are heavy with hints at eliminating birthright to citizenship for US-born children of American visa holders, curbing family-based immigration, and blocking new pathways to citizenship for immigrants.
Donald Trump’s ‘America First’ agenda, which remained incomplete in his first presidential regime, is being anticipated to be more rigid and aggressive during his second term. Speculations are high that Trump’s return to power might put an end to the pilot program for domestic renewal of H1B and L1 Visa in the US. The domestic visa revalidation program for H1B visa holders from India got a confirmation stamp during Prime Minister Modi’s state visit to the US Capitol in June 2023, as a boost to the US-India relations.
Other than American Dream to be a tiring pursuit for Indians with US work visas, automatic citizenship for US-born children of migrants is also at the risk of being revoked. Reportedly, President-elect Trump plans to sign an executive order for eliminating birthright to citizenship on Day 1 of his oath to office in January 2025. It is a matter of concern even for legal immigrants, as Trump may “direct federal agencies to require that at least one parent be a US citizen or lawful permanent resident for their future children to become automatic US citizens,” according to the draft executive order.
The proposed end to US citizenship by birth is easier said than done, as any move towards disobeying the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution will call for interminable court battles, in the opinion of immigration attorneys.
With a firm belief, America has given him “an unprecedented and powerful mandate” to heal the nation this time, Trump is looking at the largest deportation drive in American history. It could jeopardize 11 million illegal migrants, including nearly 750,000 undocumented Indians, who sneaked into the US through donkey or ‘dunki’ routes via Canada or Mexico. Statistically, the US Customs and Border Protection officers detained nearly 10 Indians every hour when they were trying to enter the country illegally in FY2024. A majority of them hails from Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana.
“Just two weeks prior to the US elections 2024, the Department of Homeland Security deported undocumented Indians on a chartered flight to India – which is most likely to be reinforced under the whip of Donald Trump in 2025. In FY2024, nearly 500 flights were arranged to send over 160,000 illegal migrants back to 145 countries, including India, according to DHS,” said Sourav Agarwal, the Editor of Travel Beats, a leading community portal for Indians in America.
No doubt, the Trump administration would make sure no loopholes are left in the border control measures against donkey routes.
On the other hand, Indian students aspiring American Dream may rejoice in Donald Trump’s return to the White House. The hope that Trump would keep his ‘Green Card promise’ to talented foreign students during his second presidency is palpable among them. Only the coming days of Trump 2.0 in the Oval Office will reveal whether his ‘Green Card promise’ was an electoral stunt or a real intension.
