WASHINGTON/NEW DELHI: The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has revealed a sharp rise in illegal immigration by Indian nationals, warning that the trend is increasingly becoming a serious challenge for global security.
The figures released by US authorities have also been confirmed by The Times of India, adding credibility to the alarming data.
According to CBP, 23,830 Indian nationals were arrested in 2025 while attempting to cross the US border illegally. However, the number was significantly higher in 2024, when US authorities detained 85,119 Indian citizens during illegal border crossings.
Indian media reports suggest that most of those detained were attempting to reach the United States through illegal routes in search of better job opportunities and higher wages. Experts say that weak economic conditions and ineffective immigration policies have pushed thousands of Indians towards unlawful means.
International observers have also pointed out that Indian human smugglers are increasingly avoiding heavily monitored Latin American routes and instead using lesser-known but more dangerous and unsafe pathways. This has reportedly led to an increase in human casualties and organized crime activity.
Global security experts have warned that illegal immigration, human trafficking networks, fake degree scams and organized crime linked to Indian groups pose a growing threat to international safety. Analysts believe that rising unemployment and frustration in India may further intensify this trend in the coming months.