In four years, Trump admn may shunt out 60L illegal immigrants

There are severe rules for those staying illegally, warned Michael Hough, Director of Federal Relations for non-partisan organisation, NumbersUSA. He added that students on visas should avoid political protests.

Hough was speaking to the Tribune ahead of his visit to Punjab, where he aims to make people aware about threats of entering the US illegally from Mexico or Canada.

“The US Congress has approved a $170 billion budget for border security and deportation as 1 million illegal people are to be deported annually. The number includes people who cross the border illegally as well as those overstaying visas,” Hough said.

He noted that another million people have self-deported and left the country. “Upwards of 6 million people, who are staying illegally in the country, will be removed either through forcible deportation or they will self-deport,” he added.

The NumbersUSA is a non-partisan organisation that advocates for immigration reforms and highlights need to curb illegal migration to the US.

Talking about the risks of crossing into the US from the southern border of Mexico, Hough said, “Often human trafficking networks are used for the purpose, and a lot of them are even involved with drug cartels. These are very dangerous people with track records of killing people, robbing, stealing and sexually assaulting them.”

“US President Donald Trump has sent the military to guard the border with Mexico. Illegal crossings have dropped by over 90 percent at the Southern border,” he added.

The Director of Federal Relations for the US group noted that these measures were not targeted at India alone. President Trump has done it against allies, foes and friends, treating everyone the same to send a simple message – “Do not come to America illegally”.

He claimed that during the Joe Biden administration, over 10 million people come into the country illegally. Thus, Trump was elected for closing the border and stopping illegal immigration, he said.

Hough also addressed the issue of handcuffing illegal immigrants during the deportation process. The issue had led to a hue and cry when Indian nationals were deported in handcuffs.

“If I break a law in the United States, I’m handcuffed. I am taken into custody and I go to jail. Same thing happens if you’re an illegal immigrant,” he stated.

“If you're in the country illegally, you're going to be handcuffed. If you’re arrested, you’re going to go to a detention facility,” he added.

Hough said India was one of the largest beneficiaries of legal visas to the United States. But if people come illegally, it just hurts India and their ability for people to come the right way, he said.

On being asked if he had any advice for students since the US has restricted student visa for four years, Hough said “If you get a four-year visa, stay for four years. If you need to extend it, you need to go through proper channels to extend it.”

“Do not partake in, say, political protest against your host country, the United States or its allies,” he added.