SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Diya TV) — The number of Indians trying to enter the United States illegally has dropped sharply in 2025. Between January and May, U.S. border officials arrested 10,382 Indian nationals, a 70% drop compared to the same period last year. In 2024, arrests had reached 34,535. Most of those caught this year were from Gujarat, a western Indian state long associated with high rates of irregular migration.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) reported that at least 30 of the arrested were unaccompanied minors. These children were often sent alone in hopes they would be granted legal entry. The average number of Indians arrested each day has now dropped to about 69, compared to 230 per day during the same period in 2024.

The steep decline in illegal border crossings comes amid tougher immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump. His administration has ramped up raids, tightened border security, and increased deportations since returning to office in January 2025.

Smuggling syndicates, many based in Gujarat, began scaling back their operations late last year. A source connected to a smuggling ring told The Times of India, “The moment it became clear Trump would likely win again, routes started drying up.” The source added that while demand remains strong, smugglers have either reduced activity or hiked their fees due to increased risks.

The Trump administration has also taken a harder stance on unaccompanied children. In fiscal year 2024, over 500 unaccompanied Indian minors were apprehended. Now, stricter rules apply to those children left at the border by their families, leading to fewer attempts.

USCBP data shows a broader trend of fewer border arrests across all nationalities. In January 2025, 81,492 people were caught trying to cross into the U.S. That number fell to 28,617 in February and stayed around 29,000 each month through May. In total, 590,069 illegal immigrants were detained between January and May 2025.

That’s a major drop from 1,233,959 during the same period last year. Officials say Trump’s renewed focus on immigration is reshaping the routes smugglers use—and the decisions migrants make.

Despite the decline, many Indians still try to reach the U.S. through dangerous paths. Some take long land routes through Central America, while others choose risky sea journeys. On May 9, a boat capsized near Del Mar, California. Two children—14-year-old Prince and 10-year-old Mahi—died in the accident. Their parents, Brijesh and Sangita Patel, survived with injuries. The family was trying to reach U.S. shores with the help of a smuggling group.

The U.S. Coast Guard reported tracking 277 suspicious vessels from Mexico to the San Diego area since October 2024. These small boats often carry migrants who pay thousands of dollars for the chance to enter the country.

So far in 2025, at least nine Indians have died during border crossings. Victims include four people from Dingucha in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar district and four from Mehsana’s Vasai-Dabhla village. Another man from Kalol also died.

Officials say Gujarat continues to be a hotspot for irregular migration. Smuggling agents in the region have built complex routes that stretch through Latin America, aiming to bypass U.S. patrols. These journeys are expensive, dangerous, and often end in detention or tragedy.

In April 2024, the Department of Homeland Security estimated that about 220,000 undocumented Indians were living in the U.S. Since Trump took office in January, over 330 Indians have been deported.

While many families in India still dream of a better life in America, fears of arrest and deportation now weigh heavily on their plans. Stricter enforcement, rising smuggling costs, and deadly risks have led to a sharp fall in illegal entries, at least for now.