The end of ‘dunki maarna’? Trump’s executive orders target illegal immigration
President-elect Donald Trump blamed President Joe Biden for the surge in illegal immigration into the US during his election campaign, claiming it harmed the country’s economy and citizens’ job prospects. To fulfil his promises, Trump’s executive orders were expected to impact thousands of illegal immigrants worldwide, including Indians, living in the US.
Notably, many Indians risk their lives traveling through unauthorised crossings, known colloquially as the ‘donkey route’ or ‘dunki maarna’, to enter America. According to the US Customs and Border Protection, authorities encountered 96,917 illegal Indian immigrants in 2023.
‘Dunki’ business
The “donkey/dunki” route, a notorious path for illegal immigration into the US, has been thriving in states like Punjab, Gujarat, and Haryana. Thousands of Indians shell out hefty sums to human smuggling networks, risking life and limb to reach the US via Mexico and Canada. This perilous journey, which can take up to four months, often ends in despair — some are detained and deported by Mexican authorities before even reaching the US border.
The perils of this journey are heart-wrenching, with families, including young children, suffering tragic deaths along the way. However, Donald Trump’s promise of “the largest deportation of illegal immigrants in US history” may bring an end to this pernicious trade. The anticipated surge in deportations will not only shatter the dreams of those who risked everything to enter the US illegally but also dismantle the billion-dollar human trafficking industry.
On a positive note, this clampdown may also eradicate the exploitation of illegal migrants, who are often forced to work for meagre wages. Legal entrants, on the other hand, are protected by labour laws and earn fair compensation.
Illegal immigrants
The issue of illegal immigration in the US has been a contentious topic for years, with estimates suggesting over 11 million immigrants without legal status were present in the country as of 2022. This number is expected to have increased since then. To address this, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been conducting removal flights, including a recent one on October 22, which repatriated Indian nationals who didn’t establish a legal basis to remain in the US.
In fact, since June 2024, DHS has “removed or returned over 160,000 individuals and operated more than 495 international repatriation flights to over 145 countries, including India”. These efforts aim to demonstrate the Biden administration’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws and imposing consequences on illegal entrants.
However, some argue that the legal immigration system is “broken” and that those who broke the law by entering the US illegally have no right to stay. Vivek Ramaswamy is one such voice, emphasising the need for stricter measures.
Despite this, reports indicate that illegal crossings have decreased following Biden’s introduction of new border restrictions and Mexico’s enhanced enforcement efforts. Nevertheless, Trump has pledged to establish new standards, as promised in his campaign.
‘Border Czar’ Tom Homan
Trump has appointed Thomas Homan, a former police officer and acting director of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as the White House “Border Czar”. This move signals Trump’s commitment to tackling illegal immigration, with Homan set to oversee security and immigration enforcement, including “the largest deportation of illegal immigrants in US history”.
Trump praised Homan, saying, “I’ve known Tom for a long time, and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our borders...he will be in charge of all deportation of illegal aliens back to their country of origin... I have no doubt he will do a fantastic, and long-awaited job.”
However, Homan’s appointment has sparked controversy and criticism from liberal-progressive and civil activists, who label him “brutal and inhuman” due to his hardliner stance on immigration. Specifically, his proposal to separate parents and children to deter illegal immigration has raised concerns. Homan has defended his position, citing the need to enforce immigration laws and protect national security.
Stephen Miller — another hardliner
Homan’s proposals include denying birth right citizenship to children born in the US to illegal immigrants (a right granted by the country’s Constitution) mass arrests, detentions and deportations of undocumented immigrants across America.
He also feels that politicians who support sanctuary city policies should be charged with crimes.
“Families can be deported together. If you’re in the country illegally, you better be looking over your shoulder. You better start packing now... cause you’re going home,” he was quoted as saying in one of the interviews.
Trump has also appointed long-time adviser Stephen Miller as the deputy chief of police, who too is known for a strong stance on immigration. Miller is known for opposing legal immigration, potentially impacting those on work visas.
However, Homan clarified that only illegal immigrants should be fearful, attempting to alleviate concerns about the impact on legal immigrants and those on work visas.
For illegal immigrants, life will change
Donald Trump is poised to launch a series of executive actions aimed at bolstering immigration enforcement and dismantling Biden-era legal entry programs. Reports from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) indicate that approximately 1.4 million immigrants currently face final deportation orders.
Trump’s plans include giving more power to federal immigration officers, deploying National Guard troops along the borders, and unlocking funds for the US-Mexico border. He also aims to remove Biden administration orders that prioritise deporting individuals with serious criminal records, and instead, cast a wider net to include non-criminals.
