Rise in Undocumented Indian Students Using Illegal Routes to US Alarms Experts

Key Takeaways

• Student visa overstays for F-1 holders rose to 3.5% in FY 2023, signaling growing irregular entries.
• In 2023, 97,000 undocumented Indian migrants were encountered at U.S. borders, with 30,000 at U.S.-Canada border.
• F-1 visa approvals for Indian students dropped 38% from 103,495 in 2023 to 64,008 in 2024.

A sharp rise in undocumented Indian students and migrants entering the United States 🇺🇸 through illegal routes has alarmed immigration experts, policymakers, and families on both sides of the world. This trend, which has accelerated over the past few years, is driven by a mix of tightening legal pathways, high student visa rejection rates, and the persistent demand for U.S. education and work opportunities. As the U.S. government enacts stricter student visa policies and border enforcement, more Indian students are turning to irregular and dangerous migration routes, exposing themselves to exploitation, deportation, and long-term uncertainty.

Surge in Undocumented Indian Students at U.S. Borders

Who is affected? Indian students and young migrants seeking education and work in the United States 🇺🇸.

What is happening? A growing number of Indian students are entering the U.S. through illegal or irregular routes, often after being denied a student visa or facing long delays.

When did this start? The trend has grown sharply since 2020, with a dramatic increase in the past two years.

Where is this happening? Across U.S. borders, especially at the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders.

Why is this happening? Stricter visa rules, longer wait times, and higher rejection rates have closed legal pathways for many Indian students.

How are they entering? Many travel through South or Central America, then cross into the U.S. by land, sometimes claiming asylum at the border.

According to the latest U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Entry/Exit Overstay Report, student visa overstays for F category holders (mainly students) rose to 3.5% in FY 2023. In the same year, nearly 97,000 undocumented Indian migrants were encountered by U.S. border agents nationwide, with over 30,000 at the U.S.-Canada border alone. Deportations of Indian nationals have also increased, with over 1,500 deported in FY 2024, 90% of whom were caught at the border, often during irregular crossings.

Why Are Indian Students Turning to Illegal Routes?

The United States 🇺🇸 has long been a top destination for Indian students, with over 331,602 Indian students enrolled in U.S. institutions during the 2023-2024 academic year. However, recent policy changes have made it much harder for Indian students to enter the country legally.

Key Factors Driving the Shift

• Stricter Student Visa Policies: The Trump administration, since returning to office in January 2025, has introduced tougher rules for F-1 student visas. Proposals include limiting visa duration to four years (or two years in some cases) and possible cuts to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows students to work after graduation.
• Sharp Decline in Visa Approvals: F-1 visa approvals for Indian students dropped from 103,495 in 2023 to 64,008 in 2024—a 38% decrease.
• Long Wait Times: Visa processing delays remain severe, with average wait times around 250 days. Many students miss enrollment deadlines and lose their chance to study in the U.S.
• New Interview Requirements: As of April 2025, students must attend interviews for visa renewals if their previous visa expired over 12 months ago, removing the dropbox option that made renewals easier.
• Increased Scrutiny and Rejections: More applications are being rejected or delayed, leaving students with few legal options.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, these changes have pushed some Indian students to consider irregular migration routes, despite the risks involved.

The Dangerous Journey: How Indian Students Are Crossing U.S. Borders

With legal options shrinking, many Indian students and young migrants are turning to irregular migration routes, often called the “donkey route.” This journey is dangerous, expensive, and exposes migrants to exploitation by human traffickers.

Common Irregular Routes

• South and Central America: Many Indian migrants first fly to countries like Ecuador or Guatemala, which have easier visa policies for Indians. From there, they travel north through Mexico to the U.S. border.
• U.S.-Canada Border: Increasingly, migrants are using the U.S.-Canada border, which is vast and less heavily guarded in some areas. In 2023, over 30,000 Indian migrants were encountered at the northern border.
• Claiming Asylum: Upon reaching the U.S. border, many claim asylum, citing persecution or economic hardship. This allows them to enter the U.S. legal system and remain while their cases are processed—a process that can take years.

The Role of Human Traffickers

The “donkey route” has become a lucrative business for human traffickers. These smugglers charge thousands of dollars to guide migrants through multiple countries, often using dangerous routes and false documents. Migrants face risks such as robbery, violence, and even death during the journey.

Legal Student Visa Process: What Has Changed?

For those who want to study in the United States 🇺🇸 legally, the F-1 student visa remains the main pathway. However, the process has become more difficult and uncertain.

Step-by-Step Legal Process

1. Apply to a SEVP-Certified U.S. Institution: Students must first gain admission to a school certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
2. Pay the SEVIS Fee and Receive Form I-20: After admission, students pay the SEVIS fee and receive Form I-20, which is required for the visa application.
3. Complete the DS-160 Visa Application: Students fill out the DS-160 form online and pay the visa fee.
4. Schedule and Attend a Visa Interview: Students must schedule an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate and bring supporting documents, such as financial proof and the admission letter.
5. Await the Visa Decision: If approved, students can travel to the U.S. before their program starts.

For more details on the student visa process, the U.S. Department of State provides an official guide on student visas.

New Barriers for Indian Students

• Longer Wait Times: Many students face delays of up to 250 days, making it hard to start their studies on time.
• Interview Requirements: The removal of the dropbox option means more students must attend in-person interviews, adding to the backlog.
• Higher Rejection Rates: More applications are being denied, often without clear reasons, leaving students frustrated and desperate.

The Numbers: A Closer Look at Indian Migration to the U.S.

The data shows a dramatic increase in Indian migrants encountered at U.S. borders and a sharp rise in deportations.

• The number of Indian migrants apprehended at U.S. borders has surged 40-fold in four years, from about 1,000 in FY 2020 to a peak of 43,000 in 2023.
• As of 2022, more than 700,000 Indians without legal status were living in the U.S., making them the third-largest undocumented group after Mexicans and Hondurans.
• Since 2009, 15,756 illegal Indian immigrants have been deported from the U.S. to India, with annual deportations peaking at 2,042 in 2019.

Impacts on Stakeholders

Indian Students and Families

• Financial Loss: Many families spend their life savings on migration, only to face deportation or long legal battles.
• Emotional Stress: Students face uncertainty, fear of deportation, and the trauma of dangerous journeys.
• Limited Opportunities: Those who enter illegally may struggle to access education, work, or legal status.

U.S. Authorities

• Border Enforcement: The surge in Indian migrants has put pressure on U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
• Policy Dilemmas: Stricter visa rules may reduce legal migration but can push more people toward illegal routes.

Indian Government

• Diplomatic Strain: The rise in deportations and irregular migration has strained U.S.-India relations.
• Pressure to Act: Indian officials face calls to improve awareness, regulate migration agents, and provide safer legal alternatives.

Human Traffickers

• Profit from Desperation: Smugglers exploit the desperation of students and families, charging high fees for dangerous journeys.

Expert Perspectives and Official Responses

Chirag Patel, a Maryland-based immigration lawyer, notes that many Indian migrants are seeking asylum, hoping to enter the U.S. before further policy changes. Ritesh Jain, Co-Founder of LaunchEd Global, stresses the urgent need for awareness, regulation, and safer legal alternatives for Indian students.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has provided regular updates to the Indian Parliament on deportation figures, highlighting the growing concern in India. U.S. agencies like DHS and CBP continue to monitor and respond to these trends, but the true scale of illegal migration remains unclear due to data limitations.

The Human Cost: Real-Life Stories

Behind the numbers are real people—students and families who risk everything for a chance at a better life. Many are motivated by the hope of a U.S. education and career, but face disappointment, danger, and sometimes tragedy.

• Case Example: A 22-year-old student from Punjab, denied a U.S. student visa after months of waiting, paid a smuggler to guide him through Central America. After weeks of hardship, he was caught at the U.S.-Mexico border and deported, losing his family’s savings and his dream of studying in America.
• Another Story: A group of Indian students tried to cross the U.S.-Canada border in winter, only to be rescued by border agents after getting lost in freezing conditions.

These stories highlight the risks and heartbreak faced by those who turn to irregular migration.

Policy Implications and Future Outlook

Experts expect the flow of undocumented Indian migrants to remain high in the months leading up to the November 2025 U.S. presidential election, as migrants try to enter before possible further crackdowns. The Trump administration is likely to continue tightening student visa and work authorization policies, which could reduce legal migration even more and increase pressure on irregular routes.

Canada 🇨🇦 and other countries may become more attractive to Indian students, offering more favorable post-study work options and less restrictive visa rules. However, the demand for U.S. education and jobs is unlikely to disappear, keeping the pressure on both legal and illegal migration routes.

What Can Be Done? Practical Guidance for Indian Students

If you are an Indian student hoping to study in the United States 🇺🇸, consider these steps:

• Apply Early: Start your student visa process as soon as possible to account for long wait times.
• Use Official Channels: Only use authorized agents and official government websites for information and applications.
• Beware of Scams: Avoid agents or individuals promising guaranteed visas or quick entry through irregular routes.
• Know Your Rights: If you are denied a visa, seek advice from official sources or reputable immigration lawyers.
• Consider Alternatives: Explore study options in other countries like Canada 🇨🇦, the United Kingdom 🇬🇧, or Australia 🇦🇺, which may have more accessible visa policies.

For official information on student visas, visit the U.S. Department of State’s student visa page.

Conclusion: A Complex and Urgent Challenge

The rise in undocumented Indian students and migrants entering the United States 🇺🇸 through illegal routes is a complex and fast-changing issue. It is driven by shrinking legal pathways, high visa rejection rates, and the strong desire for U.S. education and work. The situation is made worse by increased border enforcement, shifting migration routes (especially via Canada 🇨🇦), and the growing role of human traffickers.

Both U.S. and Indian authorities face growing pressure to address these trends through policy reform, better cooperation, and public awareness campaigns. For Indian students and families, the best path remains the legal one—despite the challenges, it offers the safest and most reliable way to achieve the dream of studying in the United States 🇺🇸.

If you need help or more information, consult official resources such as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C. Stay informed, stay safe, and make choices that protect your future.

Learn Today

F-1 Visa → A U.S. nonimmigrant student visa allowing foreign nationals to study at SEVP-certified institutions legally.
SEVP → Student and Exchange Visitor Program; certifies schools for accepting international students under F visas.
Overstay → Remaining in the U.S. beyond the authorized duration of a visa without legal permission.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) → Post-graduation U.S. work authorization program for F-1 visa holders to gain practical experience.
Smuggler → A person who illegally transports migrants across borders, often charging high fees and exposing them to danger.

This Article in a Nutshell

Undocumented Indian students enter the U.S. via illegal routes due to visa restrictions and long waits. This risky trend exposes migrants to deportation, exploitation, and uncertainty amid stricter policies. Legal pathways shrink, fueling dangerous journeys through Mexico and Canada while authorities struggle to contain the growing crisis involving thousands of students annually.
— By VisaVerge.com