As global migration trends evolve, the Embassy of India in Mexico on Tuesday (Sept 10, 2024) issued a stern advisory, cautioning Indian nationals against traveling to Mexico. This advisory comes in light of the growing challenges faced by Indian citizens, including prolonged detentions and deportations at Mexico’s borders.

What does the Advisory say?

The increased scrutiny and immigration checks at entry points reflect Mexico’s tightening policies, which target irregular migration—especially among travellers arriving from third countries or holding non-Mexican visas. These measures have caused immense hardships for many Indian travellers, often resulting in extended detention periods, economic losses, and limited communication access for detained individuals. The rise in these incidents has prompted a need for greater awareness about the risks associated with such journeys.

Surge in Indian Migrants Crossing Mexico to Enter the US

The advisory also sheds light on the broader migration trends involving Indian nationals, especially those seeking entry into the United States via Mexico. The numbers have soared significantly, with Mexico emerging as a key transit point for Indian migrants. By 2023, Indian nationals had become the second-largest group of Asian migrants traversing Mexico, only behind Chinese migrants. This trend has been driven by various economic, social, and political factors, all of which contribute to the growing migratory flow to the US.

Between 2022 and 2023, the number of Indian migrants arriving in Mexico skyrocketed from fewer than 3,000 to over 12,400. This sharp rise indicates a fundamental shift in migration patterns, with increasing numbers of Indians attempting to reach the United States through more perilous routes. In the first two months of 2024 alone, over 3,300 Indian migrants were detected in Mexico by the National Migration Institute (INM).

This growing migration has led to tighter immigration controls at Mexican borders, significantly affecting Indian nationals. In particular, Indian migrants who arrive in Mexico through third countries, or who hold visas not directly from Mexico, face even stricter scrutiny, making them more susceptible to detention and deportation.

Dangerous Journeys: From Canada to Mexico

Many Indian migrants resort to Mexico as an entry point into the United States, drawn by hopes of better job prospects and economic stability. However, the journey is fraught with danger, as underscored by several tragic incidents. In January 2022, a family of four Indian nationals froze to death near the US-Canada border, and in March 2023, the bodies of eight migrants, including four Indians, were recovered from the San Lorenzo River in Quebec. These tragedies reveal the immense risks involved in crossing borders clandestinely.

The complexity of these migration routes is further highlighted by the numbers of Indian migrants arriving at the US-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders. Indian encounters at the Southwest U.S. land border surged from 5,105 in 2021 to 43,762 in 2023. However, as Mexico enforces stricter immigration policies, many Indians are turning to Canada as a quicker and relatively safer alternative for reaching the United States. This shift has led to a dramatic rise in Indian migrant encounters at the U.S.-Canada border as well, with nearly 14,000 Indian nationals crossing between October 2023 and February 2024.

Economic and Social Drivers of Migration

The increasing migration from India can largely be attributed to economic conditions. While some Indian migrants may have valid claims of persecution, the majority are economic migrants searching for better opportunities abroad. Migrants often come from states with longstanding ties to the US., such as Punjab and Gujarat, and they are driven by a combination of high unemployment, agricultural distress, and indebtedness. These factors have pushed many Indians to seek a better future in the US., often at great personal and financial cost.

A growing trend among Indian migrants involves the use of chartered flights to countries near the US border, such as Mexico and Canada. These flights, though expensive, offer a potentially quicker and less dangerous means of reaching the US Compared to traditional overland routes, chartering flights allows migrants to bypass some hazardous parts of the journey. However, this method still exposes migrants to exploitation by human traffickers.

The Role of Human Trafficking Networks

Human trafficking networks, often referred to as “coyotes,” play a pivotal role in facilitating these dangerous journeys. These networks have become increasingly sophisticated in recent years, offering illegal passage through multiple countries. One such network, operating near Cancun, Mexico, was dismantled earlier this year, revealing the extensive reach of these traffickers. The operation uncovered 75 Indian migrants, whose passports and phones had been confiscated by the traffickers. These networks often lure migrants from various countries through digital platforms, offering false promises of safe passage and work opportunities in the U.S.

The financial burden of using these trafficking networks is substantial. The “donkey route” across continents can cost migrants upwards of $50,000. Despite the dangers and financial risks, many Indians are still willing to pay, hoping that the U.S. will offer them a better life.

Rising Restrictions and Their Impact

In response to the growing influx of migrants, including Indians, both Mexico and the U.S. have begun imposing stricter immigration controls. Canada, too, has started tightening its borders, limiting the number of undocumented migrants crossing into the US. The Mexican government’s increasing restrictions have been mirrored by a surge in deportations. In 2023 alone, Mexico deported over 240,000 migrants, including a number of undocumented American citizens.

These developments reflect broader global migration patterns, which are heavily influenced by economic disparities and the evolving geopolitical landscape. For Indian migrants, the journey to the US remains fraught with risks, from the challenges of crossing borders to the perils of relying on human traffickers. As countries like Mexico continue to enforce stricter immigration policies, the need for comprehensive, humane migration strategies is more pressing than ever.