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India is ranked as the fifth largest asylum seeker and the seventh largest asylum seeker by 2023.
Migrants at a Mexican immigration checkpoint as they cross the border to be selected to apply for legal asylum in the US. (Photo courtesy of AP)
The number of Indians applying for asylum in the United States has increased significantly over the past three years, according to data from the US Department of Homeland Security.
In fiscal year 2021, about 4,330 Indians are seeking asylum in the US. In fiscal year 2023, this number increased by 855% to 41,330. Indian officials believe that almost half of these applicants are from Gujarat, First post report.
This report came out when US President Donald Trump took a tough stance on immigration, which was one of his key promises during his presidential campaign.
Trump returned to the White House after defeating his Democratic rival, US Vice President Kamala Harris, in the November 5 election.
Annual Report of the Asylees
According to the Department of Homeland Security’s 2023 Annual Report, released in October, India is ranked as the fifth largest country for asylum seekers and the seventh largest for asylum applications in 2023. That year, 5,340 Indians were granted asylum.
Explaining the increase in asylum applications, the annual report shows that in FY 2021, the total number of applicants was 4,330, with 2,090 protection applications and 2,240 protection applications.
The following year, the number nearly tripled to 14,570, with 5,370 positive claims and 9,200 defenses. By FY 2023, the total had risen to 41,330, nearly tripling the previous year’s figure.
This trend is also reflected in the number of grants in India. In FY 2021, 1,330 Indians were granted asylum, including 700 through confirmation applications and 630 through defense cases.
The number increased significantly in FY 2022, when 4,260 Indians were granted asylum – 2,180 through verification applications and 2,080 through protective procedures.
In FY 2023, the number of grants increased again to 5,340, with 2,710 awarded in affirmative cases and 2,630 in defensive cases, the report showed.
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Trump 2.0 Immigration Plans
Trump’s renewed immigration proposal also includes plans to increase funding for a wall along the US-Mexico border – one of Trump’s 2016 proposals. He also wants to disband the US Department of Homeland Security and merge it with other agencies involved in immigration enforcement, creating a stronger border security operation.
Other aspects of his proposal include eliminating certain categories of visas for victims of crime and human trafficking, increasing immigration fees, and allowing for expedited processing of visas for those willing to pay a fee. Trump also vowed to implement “the largest deportation program in American history.”
His key immigration policies would also see undocumented immigrants receive public benefits, reinstatement of the immigration ban, an end to birthright citizenship for children born to undocumented immigrants, and a nationwide ban on “catch and release.” He also plans to introduce “extreme vetting” procedures and stop reception of refugees.
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