Every 20 Minutes, an Indian Stopped at US Border in 2025 as Migration Routes Grow Deadlier

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Washington- An Indian national was caught attempting to enter the United States illegally every 20 minutes in 2025, highlighting the continued pull of the American dream despite tougher enforcement and increasingly dangerous migration routes.

‎According to US Customs and Border Protection data, authorities apprehended 23,830 Indians in 2025, a sharp drop from 85,119 in 2024. While the overall number has fallen by nearly two-thirds following an aggressive crackdown under the Trump administration, India remains among the top source countries for undocumented migrants.
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‎Officials say the decline in numbers has not reduced risk. Instead, migrants are taking more perilous paths. Although Mexico remains a key transit route, more Indians were caught along the Canada–US border in 2025, signalling a shift toward colder and more hazardous crossings.
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‎Most of those apprehended were single adults, but agencies have flagged a disturbing trend: a small yet persistent flow of unaccompanied children. The concern is heightened by memories of the January 2022 Dingucha tragedy, when four members of a family from Gujarat froze to death while trying to cross from Canada into the US.
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‎Despite tighter border controls, experts say economic pressure, lack of opportunities, and human smuggling networks continue to drive risky migration attempts, often with fatal consequences.