- Tuesday, May 20, 2025
An unspecified number of unnamed people linked to travel agencies in India were being hit with visa bans based on information gathered by the US mission to India
By: India Weekly
IN a drive against illegal migration from India, the US is imposing visa restrictions on owners and other staff at India-based travel agencies that it claims has been knowingly facilitating illegal migration to the United States.
An unspecified number of unnamed people linked to travel agencies in India were being hit with visa bans under the Immigration and Nationality Act based on information gathered by the US mission to India, department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement on Monday (19).
Washington often issues visa bans without publishing the names of those targeted.
“We will continue to take steps to impose visa restrictions against owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies to cut off alien smuggling networks,” Bruce said, without detailing how the travel agents had facilitated illegal migration.
The move comes amid President Donald Trump’s broad crackdown on migration to the United States and efforts to deport undocumented immigrants in the country.
The US embassy in New Delhi has repeatedly posted on its social media sites warning for Indian nationals visiting the United States not to overstay their authorized period of stay in the country, warning they will face deportation and a permanent ban from entering the country for doing so.
The US on Monday (19) said that it is imposing visa restrictions on owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies in India for knowingly facilitating “illegal immigration” to the United States.
“Mission India’s Consular Affairs and Diplomatic Security Service work every day across our Embassy and Consulates to actively identify and target those engaged in facilitating illegal immigration and human smuggling and trafficking operations,” the State Department said in a statement.
The Department of State is “taking steps today to impose visa restrictions on owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies based and operating in India for knowingly facilitating illegal immigration to the United States”, it said.
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The statement added that the US will “continue to take steps to impose visa restrictions against owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies to cut off alien smuggling networks”.
“Our immigration policy aims not only to inform foreign nationals about the dangers of illegal immigration to the United States but also to hold accountable individuals who violate our laws, including facilitators of illegal immigration,” the State Department said, adding that enforcing US immigration laws and policies is critical to upholding the rule of law and protecting Americans.
It said this visa restriction policy is global and even applies to individuals who otherwise qualify for the Visa Waiver Program.
When asked about the travel agencies and people against whom visa restrictions have been effected, a US embassy official in New Delhi said the details cannot be provided.
These agents have been using various means such as student visas, fraudulent marriages, and the risky ‘Dunki Route’ to send people abroad through illegal channels.
After the Trump administration stepped up security along its land borders, illegal migrants are resorting to the more risky route of sea crossings from Mexico.
A small boat capsized in choppy seas early this month in a suspected human smuggling attempt near San Diego coast in California.
An Indian family was among the 16 people on board a small “panga”-style open fishing vessel, commonly used by smugglers.
India’s foreign ministry said in April that 682 Indian nationals have been deported from the United States since January 2025, the majority of whom were trying to enter the country illegally.
The Indian government has been working closely with US authorities to address issues related to illegal immigration and human trafficking, and action is being taken against criminal facilitators and illegal immigration networks.
In February, 333 Indians were deported directly from the US on three military flights, and 55 were deported through Panama on commercial flights.
In the wake of these deportations, the Punjab government had stepped up its drive against travel agents facilitating such illegal migrations, as roughly 40 per cent of these deportees hailed from the state.
