undocumented migrants

A massive turnout rocked Imphal as protesters clashed with police, thwarted in their attempt to march to the Chief Minister's abode. The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (Cocomi) seized the moment to issue a memorandum, pressing for clarity on issues of a 'proxy war,' the escalation of narco-terrorism, accountability for recent murders, and the prompt adoption of NRC measures.

Sydney's 'birdman', Bikram Lama, a 32-year-old Nepalese migrant, died unnoticed for days near a busy tunnel. His expired visa left him without access to essential services, highlighting societal blind spots and the plight of undocumented individuals. His story underscores the tragic consequences of systemic failures in supporting vulnerable populations.

As the campaign sharpens, the familiar charge of “bohiragoto” has returned to the centre of the political stage, with the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) reviving a narrative that helped it decisively blunt the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) five years ago. The immediate trigger this time, as seen in the reaction to Leander Paes joining the BJP, shows how quickly the labels are deployed as "outsider, parachuted, not one of us".

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma is building a powerful personal brand, blending welfare schemes with a strong anti-migrant stance. His "jati, mati, bheti" pitch and focus on indigenous identity are central to his campaign, aiming for a bigger victory than ever before. Sarma's approach, though praised for development, is also criticized for divisive politics.

A policy aimed at protecting Muslims from hostility is dividing Britain’s ethnic and religious groups. At the heart of the debate lies a deeper question about the limits of free speech.

Gujarati communities are now crowdfunding to bring back members deported from the US, a stark reversal from earlier efforts to send them abroad for better opportunities. These appeals highlight the financial and emotional toll of deportation, as migrants return with debt and no means to support families left behind.

Pakistan has deported thousands of Afghan nationals, including citizen card holders and undocumented migrants, from various regions, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa seeing the largest number of removals. While over 527,000 undocumented Afghans have been expelled since September 2023, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Chief Minister has expressed reservations about forced deportations, advocating for negotiation and reconciliation instead.

The UK government is tightening immigration rules, making it nearly impossible for undocumented migrants arriving by small boats or hidden in vehicles to gain citizenship. The move comes as prime minister Keir Starmer faces pressure to curb migration. Critics, including Labour MPs, argue it unfairly penalizes refugees. The policy follows Starmer’s decision to scrap the Rwanda deportation plan, instead focusing on dismantling smuggling gangs amid rising channel crossings.

A Brazilian national pleaded guilty for his role in a scheme to smuggle undocumented migrants from India into the United States, authorities said.

Kaushik Jayantibhai Thakkar, 33, along with Brazilian national Fabiano Augusto Amorim, was sentenced yesterday to serve 36 months in prison for their roles in smuggling undocumented migrants to the US.

In Texas, a shocking discovery near Flatonia unveiled a human smuggling operation during a routine traffic stop. Fayette County deputies found twelve undocumented migrants hidden inside modified hay bales on a trailer. The driver, Delbert Flanders, and two alleged organizers, Adanaylo Lambert and Lency Delgado Fernandez, were arrested.

Two US customs officers stationed at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in California have been charged with accepting bribes to allow undocumented migrants into the US. Federal prosecutors claim the officers worked with human traffickers and received thousands of dollars per vehicle they let through.

The African Union (AU) has criticised Tunisia and urged it to avoid "racialised hate speech" after President Kais Saied ordered the expulsion of undocumented migrants and said immigration was a plot aimed at changing his country's demographic make-up .

An Indian national, Vodela Yashaswi Kottapalli, has been detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on charges including the sexual assault of a minor in New Jersey. ICE stated he is being held pending removal proceedings, highlighting intensified actions against undocumented migrants accused of crimes.

Venezuela repatriated nearly 200 undocumented migrants from the US, amid UN concerns over forced returns. Caracas aims for improved US ties, while Washington does not recognize Maduro’s presidency. Trump revoked deportation protections for 600,000 Venezuelans and pledged mass expulsions. Some deportees had suspected gang ties. Venezuela insists returns respect human rights, while the US maintains sanctions amid political instability and unresolved election disputes in the country.

India has bigger goals in mind as it agrees to facilitate the return of these citizens from the US to placate Donald Trump

Pakistan has returned 3,248 Afghan refugees to Afghanistan in a single day as part of its efforts to combat illegal immigration. The deadline for the expulsion of undocumented migrants has led to over 51,000 Afghans being deported since it was announced. Pakistan has a specialized branch dedicated to identifying and addressing the presence of illegal immigrants in the Balochistan province. Despite international appeals, the Pakistani government remains determined to expel Afghan migrants.

Donald Trump's presidency witnesses a significant rise in the US's efforts to deport illegal immigrants, spotlighting India's 725,000 undocumented migrants. The Pew Research Center reveals that India ranks third in illegal immigration figures, trailing Mexico and El Salvador, prompting collaborative deportation measures between the US and India.

Immigration Department director-general Ruslin Jusoh confirms that 131 migrants have escaped from the Bidor immigration detention depot in Malaysia. A man dies in a road accident during the escape. The incident is reported by state news agency Bernama.