18,000 Indians Deported; Your child might not be a U.S. Citizen, and Are the ICE Raids happening?
Yet the price of eggs have not come down...
18,000 Desis
The Skinny (Literally):
The Indian government is teaming up with U.S. authorities to pack approximately 18,000 undocumented Indian nationals onto flights back to India. The move is an attempt to stay in the U.S.'s good books and preserve the golden goose that is the H-1B visa program, which has been the lifeline for every aspiring tech bro dreaming of Silicon Valley stardom.
Higher than 18,000: The Real Headcount
18,000 is just the appetizer. The actual number of undocumented Indians in the U.S. is closer to 725,000, according to Pew Research. That makes Indians the third-largest group of undocumented immigrants, right behind Mexico and El Salvador. It’s essentially a population large enough to pack an A.I. conference in Las Vegas1.
Nothing New Here, Folks:
India and the U.S. have been playing this game for a while. Back in October, Under the Biden Administration, over 100 Indians boarded a flight home—all of them with one-way tickets courtesy of U.S. immigration authorities. The Modi government is treating this partnership like it’s a diplomatic fast yorker2: stay friendly with the U.S., protect the H-1B visa program, and maybe throw in a little trade talk while they’re at it. It’s a win-win for everyone—except of course for the “18,000” people being sent home.
The Indians:
The Trump administration purportedly has identified Indian nationals scheduled for deportation.
Deportation Orders: These will likely include individuals who have deportation orders, as opposed to being in removal or deportation proceedings.
Undocumented Status: These individuals are part of the larger group of Indian nationals living in the U.S. without any legal status.
Overstayed Visas: Those who have entered the U.S. legally (e.g., on tourist, student, or work visas) but overstayed after their visas expired.
Recent Uninspected Arrivals: who have entered the U.S. irregularly in recent years, often via human smuggling routes through Mexico.
If You’re THE Indian…
If you have a Deportation order: if you qualify, and only if you qualify, find out if your case can be reopened, rescinding the Deportation order. Alternatively, look into Petitions for Stay of Deportation.
Undocumented Status: Get documented: Look up lost USC family members,
revisit your country’s conditions, and talk to a Lawyer. Lawyers can dig into your history to see if you qualify for immigration relief. Get in the DHS system.Overstayed visa: examine if waivers apply that may address your overstay.
Recent Unispected Arrivals: make sure you have been put into the Immigration Court system [I.E. EOIR]
Will birthright citizenship end in the United States?
Will birthright citizenship end in the United States?
No
Can Donald Trump eliminate birthright citizenship?
No
Will Congress Amend the Constitution to end birthright citizenship?3
No.
Why is this even news?
Where are the ICE Raids?
Yes but likely not for long, and likely revised…
This will become unfunny in a year.
Cricket reference. Look it up.
Birthright citizenship is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”
An executive order [small e intended] cannot override the constitution.
Moreover, an amendment of the constitution would not only entail both houses of Congress to prevail but also ratification of 38 States out of 50. Yeah, it’s not happening