Illegal routes to US: Rise in undocumented Indian students alarms experts
In the last ten years, the US has continued being one of India's most popular choices for pursuing higher education. The American dream captures the imagination of millions. The value placed on world-class universities, enhanced job opportunities, and access to international career avenues continues to draw lakhs of students each year.Sadly, however, there is a disconcerting reality that we are increasingly becoming aware of Indian students who wish to pursue higher studies and work towards integrating themselves in the US are doing so through undocumented pathways.advertisementBy Ritesh Jain, Co-Founder, LaunchEd Global – Gateway to Excellence in Education, the rise in undocumented routes and visa overstays among Indian students chasing the American dream highlights the urgent need for awareness, regulation, and safer legal alternatives. A GROWING BUT UNDER-REPORTED PHENOMENON
According to the DHS Entry/Exit Overstay Report for F category visa holders, student visa overstays rose to 3.5% in FY 2023. Despite the lack of evidence-based, nationally representative surveys directly targeting the Indian immigrant student population, numerous reports suggest that India still remains part of the top ten countries in the world with the highest visa overstay rates.Furthermore, one of the most concerning hypotheses regarding undocumented Indian immigrants suggests that over 1500 Indian nationals were deported from the US in FY 2024.This figure, strategically claimed by ICE, relies on controversial methodologies, highlighting the opaque nature of border policing—90% of these claimed deportations were through so-called 'border arrests' where students or young people try to cross the border through so-called 'irregular' routes like the US-Mexico border.advertisementEmbracing such accounts, many of the forcible removals of these individuals occurred in the context of forced removal procedures.WHY ARE INDIAN STUDENTS TURNING TO ILLEGAL ROUTES?Several factors are driving this concerning shift:1. Limited opportunities at homeDespite a growing number of educational institutions being set up in India, however, the limited top-tiered seats available in the elite institutions is highly sought after and remains intensely competitive. Many students, particularly those hailing from rural or semi-urban regions, consider the US as a panacea, a quick-fix solution, even if it entails going down unconventional or illegal routes.2. Flawed guidance from unregulated agentsAn unregulated study abroad market exists in India, and an alarming number of students are being solicited by unlicensed agents who promise unrealistic results such as guaranteed work permits and permanent residency in exchange for exorbitant consultancy fees. Certain unscrupulous agents even direct students towards dubious or non-accredited institutions abroad, which endangers students' visa status.3. Misinformation and peer pressureSocial media narratives glamorising life abroad, along with peer pressure fomo to 'go international,' can push students and youth to act out of desperation. Legally, students and families tend to overlook the complete range of consequences that come with unfavourable immigration scenarios or overstaying their visas, or entering the U.S. through undocumented means.advertisement4. Loopholes in the systemEvents like the University of Farmington sting operation in 2019 by ICE, where a fake university was created to expose visa fraud, captured the attention of students in America on fraudulent visas – and the institution with no classes, faculty, or campus. A large portion of these students claimed to have no idea what was going on, defaulting the blame on many of these consultants and agents who submitted their documents without informing them of basic realities.A Dangerous Shift: The Mexico Border RouteWhat's more alarming is the increasing capture of Indian nationals, a large proportion of whom are students, at the US-Mexico border. Over the past few years, there have been reports about Indian adolescents, typically from Punjab and Gujarat, willing to pay traffickers exorbitant sums of money for a chance to sneak into the United States through smuggling routes in Latin America.The journey is treacherous and involves lengthy hikes, being transported in unreliable vehicles, and being apprehended by authorities at the borders. Unfortunately, some have died along the way.This path highlights a more fundamental problem: some Indian youths are ready to cross safety, legality and long-term prospects to pursue a dream of either studying or settling down in America.advertisementTHE WAY FORWARD: AWARENESS, REGULATION, AND LEGAL ALTERNATIVESThe rise in undocumented Indian students is not just an immigration issue—it's a wake-up call to educators, policymakers, and parents.1. Stronger regulation of education agentsIndia needs to impose licencing and control systems to regulate study abroad agents. A lack of transparency in counselling, documentation, and a framework to administer misleading practices will go a long way.2. Better awareness amongst students and familiesTargeting young aspirants and their guardians to legally educate them on visa application processes, post-graduation employment, and the dangers of entering a country illegally is crucial.3. Legal and safer educational pathwaysIndian institutions should collaborate with global partner institutions to develop safer scholarship programs, legitimate pathway programs (such as community college transfer schemes), and even offer remote international exposure through tangible internships, all while expanding international legally safe exposure opportunities.4. Collaborative policy between India and the USThere is a need for close cooperation between both countries to monitor the abuse of student visas and human trafficking. Enhanced data-sharing, educational exchange agreements, and streamlined visa processes are necessary to improve safety as well as clarity regarding the process.The Indian student population adds value to the US higher education system academically, culturally, and economically. However, the rising trend of unlawful or unapproved entry into the US is a cause for concern as this practice undermines the progress made and endangers youths. As a society, there is a need to ensure that aspiration does not get harnessed by misinformation and desperation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Time of India
'There is no red line' US hasn't crossed, says Iran's foreign minister; declares diplomacy dead after America strikes on nuclear sites
Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Sunday expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for carrying out military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, calling it a "decisive moment" between the axis of terror and that of hope. Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi declared on Sunday that the United States has crossed 'the most dangerous red line' by launching overnight strikes on key Iranian nuclear sites, warning that diplomacy is no longer on the table and that the US bears full responsibility for what comes next. 'There is no red line left that the US hasn't crossed,' Araghchi told reporters in Istanbul. 'The last and most dangerous one was what happened only last night when they crossed a very big red line by attacking nuclear facilities.' He added, 'The door to diplomacy should always be open, but this is not the case right now.' This marks the first official Iranian response since US President Donald Trump announced that American B-2 bombers, supported by submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles, had struck Iran's Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites. Trump claimed the sites were 'completely and fully obliterated,' calling it a 'historic moment' and warning Tehran that 'there will either be peace or there will be tragedy for Iran.' The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran confirmed the sites had been hit but insisted that the program 'cannot be stopped.' The IAEA said there was no sign of radiation leakage but would continue to monitor the situation. Iran's foreign ministry accused Washington of 'betraying diplomacy' and launching 'a dangerous war.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 40세 넘고 PC만 있으면? 이 게임 완전 내 거임! Hero Wars 플레이하기 Undo It vowed to respond with 'full force.' 'The warmongering, lawless administration in Washington is solely and fully responsible for the dangerous consequences and far-reaching implications of its act of aggression,' Araghchi said. Shortly after the US strikes, Iran launched 40 missiles at Israel, injuring over 80 people and damaging several buildings. Israel retaliated with fresh strikes on military targets in western Iran. The Israeli military has reported being on high alert for a prolonged conflict. Meanwhile, global leaders have raised alarm. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the situation 'a dangerous escalation,' warning of a growing risk of catastrophic regional war. Despite warnings from Tehran, Trump defended his decision as necessary to halt Iran's nuclear ambitions, which the US and Israel argue remain a threat even as Tehran denies pursuing a bomb. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump's action, calling it 'bold' and 'historic.'
Time of India
29 minutes ago
- Time of India
Browns turn gray: Entries, mountains at Fordow nuclear site damaged- satellite images show
Entries to the Fordow nuclear site in Iran and the mountains under which it is buried suffered significant damage following targeted US strikes on Sunday, according to the satellite images provided by Planet Labs PBC. A close comparison with earlier satellite imagery indicates that previously brown mountain slopes have turned gray, with altered contours, likely the result of powerful explosions, as per an analysis by the Associated Press. The visual evidence strongly points to the deployment of specialized American 'bunker buster' bombs, capable of penetrating fortified underground targets. Left- Before the attack; right- after the attack Light gray smoke lingering in the air further supports the conclusion that a high-impact military strike took place. Despite the clear signs of damage, Iranian authorities have yet to release an official assessment or acknowledge the extent of the impact on the Fordow facility. The Fordow site, deeply embedded within a mountain to shield it from attacks, appears to have sustained direct hits powerful enough to seal its entryways. Experts suggest that such sealing would render the facility inaccessible without extensive excavation, a task that could significantly hinder any activities within. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo US claims Iran's nuclear sites 'fully obliterated' US President Donald Trump, in his address to the nation post strikes on Iran, claimed that the nuclear sites in the Islamic nation had been "completely and fully obliterated". The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran acknowledged that its facilities at Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz were targeted in the attacks, but maintained that its nuclear program would continue uninterrupted. Both Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog reported no immediate indications of radioactive contamination at any of the three sites after the strikes. How US helped Israel target Iran's nuclear sites The US played a critical role in helping Israel target Iran's nuclear sites by providing advanced military capabilities that Israel alone did not possess. While Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful and US intelligence has found no active pursuit of a bomb, both Trump and Israeli leaders believed Iran could rapidly develop a nuclear weapon, posing an urgent threat. Following a sustained Israeli air campaign that weakened Iran's air defenses and damaged some nuclear infrastructure, the US stepped in with direct military involvement. Key to this operation were American B-2 stealth bombers and the 30,000-pound 'bunker buster' bombs—munitions specifically designed to penetrate fortified underground facilities like those at Fordow and Natanz, which only the US is equipped to deploy. According to the States and Israeli officials, these unique capabilities provided the best chance of destroying Iran's deeply buried nuclear assets. Trump, reportedly influenced by Israeli officials and Republican lawmakers, concluded that the timing was ideal—Israel's preliminary strikes had "softened the ground," creating a rare window to significantly, and perhaps permanently, cripple Iran's nuclear ambitions.
New Indian Express
31 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Nations react to US strikes on Iran, with many calling for diplomacy
Several close US allies urged a return to the negotiating table in the wake of American strikes on Iran that fueled fears of a wider conflict, while noting the threat posed by Tehran's nuclear program. Some countries and groups in the region, including those that support Iran, condemned the move while also urging de-escalation. US President Donald Trump had said Thursday that he would decide within two weeks whether to get involved in Israel's war with Tehran. In the end, it took just days. Washington hit three Iranian nuclear sites early Sunday. It remained unclear how much damage had been inflicted, and Iran said it reserved the right to 'resist with full force.' Some have questioned whether a weakened Iran would capitulate or remain defiant and begin striking with allies at US targets scattered across the Gulf region. Here is a look at reactions from governments and officials around the world. United Nations UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he was 'gravely alarmed' by the use of force by the United States. 'There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control — with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world,' he said in a statement on the social media platform X. 'I call on Member States to de-escalate.' 'There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy.' United Kingdom British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for Iran to return to the negotiating table to diplomatically end the crisis, saying stability was the priority in the volatile region. The UK, along with the EU, France and Germany, tried unsuccessfully to broker a diplomatic solution in Geneva last week with Iran. Starmer said Iran's nuclear program posed a grave threat to global security. 'Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat,' he said. Iraq The Iraqi government condemned the US strikes, saying the military escalation created a grave threat to peace and security in the Middle East. It said it poses serious risks to regional stability and called for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis. 'The continuation of such attacks risks dangerous escalation with consequences that extend beyond the borders of any single state, threatening the security of the entire region and the world,' government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi said in the statement. Iraq has close relations with both Washington and Tehran, and it has attempted to balance those over the years. The country also has a network of powerful Iranian-backed militias, which so far have not entered the fray. Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia expressed 'deep concern' about the US airstrikes, but stopped short of condemning them. 'The Kingdom underscores the need to exert all possible efforts to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and avoid further escalation,' the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Saudi Arabia had earlier condemned Israel's strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and military leaders. Qatar Qatar, which is home to the largest US military base in the Middle East, said it 'regrets' escalating tensions in the Israel-Iran war. Its Foreign Ministry in a statement urged all parties to show restraint and 'avoid escalation, which the peoples of the region, burdened by conflicts and their tragic humanitarian repercussions, cannot tolerate.' Qatar has served as a key mediator in the Israel-Hamas war. Oman Oman, which served as mediator in the nuclear talks between Iran and the US, condemned the airstrikes, saying they escalated tensions in the region. The US airstrikes threaten 'to expand the scope of the conflict and constitute a serious violation of international law,' a spokesperson for Oman's Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Hamas and the Houthis Both the Houthi rebels in Yemen and Hamas have condemned the US strikes. In a statement on Sunday, the Houthi political bureau called on Muslim nations to join 'the Jihad and resistance option as one front against the Zionist-American arrogance.' Hamas and the Houthis are part of Iran's so-called Axis of Resistance, a collection of pro-Iranian proxies stretching from Yemen to Lebanon that for years gave the Islamic Republic considerable power across the region. Lebanon Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the US bombing could lead to a regional conflict that no country could bear and called for negotiations. 'Lebanon, its leadership, parties, and people, are aware today, more than ever before, that it has paid a heavy price for the wars that erupted on its land and in the region,' Aoun said in a statement on X. 'It is unwilling to pay more.' Lebanon's new leadership — which came to power after a devastating war between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group — has urged the country to avoid being dragged into more conflict as it tries to rebuild itself and pull itself from a yearslong economic crisis. Hezbollah has not taken military action against Israel in solidarity with its key ally Iran, and has not yet commented on Washington's overnight strikes. China A commentary from China's government-run media asked whether the US is 'repeating its Iraq mistake in Iran.' The online piece by CGTN, the foreign-language arm of the state broadcaster, said the US strikes mark a dangerous turning point. 'History has repeatedly shown that military interventions in the Middle East often produce unintended consequences, including prolonged conflicts and regional destabilization,' it said, citing the American invasion of Iraq in 2003. It said a measured, diplomatic approach offers the best hope for stability in the Middle East. European Union The European Union's top diplomat said Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, but she urged those involved in the conflict to show restraint. 'I urge all sides to step back, return to the negotiating table and prevent further escalation,' EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in a post on social media. Italy Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Iran's nuclear facilities 'represented a danger for the entire area' but hoped the action could lead to de-escalation in the conflict and negotiations. New Zealand New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters urged 'all parties to return to talks.' He wouldn't tell reporters Sunday whether New Zealand supported Trump's actions, saying they had only just happened. 'Diplomacy will deliver a more enduring resolution than further military action,' he said. Japan Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told reporters Sunday that it was crucial to calm the situation as soon as possible, adding that the Iranian nuclear weapons development also must be prevented. Ishiba, asked if he supports the US attacks on Iran, declined to comment. Australia Australia, which shuttered its embassy in Tehran and evacuated staff Friday, pushed for a diplomatic end to the conflict. 'We have been clear that Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program has been a threat to international peace and security,' a government official said in a written statement. 'We note the US President's statement that now is the time for peace.' "We continue to call for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy.'
