Washington slaps Visa restrictions on Indian travel agents accused of fuelling illegal immigration to the US
In a sweeping crackdown with direct consequences for India, the United States on Monday imposed visa restrictions on Indian travel agency owners and officials accused of enabling illegal immigration. The move comes after more than 300 Indian nationals, including women and children, were deported earlier this year aboard US military aircraft — a first in US-India migration history.
The US State Department did not name those affected but made clear that its focus was on individuals who “knowingly facilitate illegal immigration,” including those who might otherwise qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. “We are targeting owners, executives, and senior officials of Indian travel agencies engaged in alien smuggling networks,” it said.
The Indian states of Punjab and Gujarat are at the heart of the controversy. Most of the deportees originated from these regions and used the notorious “donkey route” — a covert network that smuggles migrants through Latin American countries like Colombia, Panama, and Mexico into the United States. A January investigation by Hindustan Times revealed that many migrants paid ₹30–45 lakh to agents who promised illegal entry to America.
Despite the high-profile nature of the deportations, prosecutions within India remain sparse. Kuljit Singh Hayer, president of the Punj-Aab travel agents association, praised the US action in principle but questioned its feasibility. “The agents behind these illegal routes operate using dummy identities. That’s why very few FIRs have been registered in India — and mostly against unnamed persons,” he said.
The deportations themselves sparked outrage in India, especially after reports that women and children were handcuffed and shackled during the flights. Indian authorities raised the issue with the US, though both sides have since pledged cooperation on migration enforcement. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India’s commitment to taking back all citizens living illegally in the US. “We are opposed to illegal immigration due to its links with organised crime,” he said. “India will facilitate their return.”
Jaiswal also noted that it would be “premature” to specify how many Indians are in the US illegally, although people familiar with the issue estimate the number at around 18,000. US officials reportedly deported close to 1,000 Indians by the end of 2024 alone.
Legitimate visa consultants in India have welcomed the crackdown. Ritesh Desai, who runs Ahmedabad-based Ryna Overseas, recalled a 2013–14 visit by a US diplomatic security official to his office in Gujarat’s Mehsana district — a known illegal migration hub. “They asked about patterns and hotspots. This has been building for years,” Desai said.
He stressed that unscrupulous operators damage the prospects of genuine students. “We support measures that protect the integrity of international admissions,” Desai said, pointing to how Australian universities temporarily stopped accepting applications from parts of India over similar concerns last year.
The US Embassy in India confirmed its consular and diplomatic security staff are working to identify and disrupt smuggling and trafficking operations. Their message is clear: facilitating illegal immigration will carry consequences, regardless of nationality or status.
This latest crackdown adds pressure on Indian authorities, who have so far struggled to rein in the booming underground market for US-bound migration. As Washington steps up enforcement, the spotlight now falls squarely on India, both to crack down on illegal agents and to protect the reputations of its legitimate visa applicants.
