Indian Border Crossings Drop 84%; Trump Supporters Target OPT Program

Canada’s department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship has reported an 84% drop in illegal crossings into the US by Indian nationals who hold Canadian visas or permits since June 2024. Until recently, Indians were the largest group of individuals apprehended while attempting to enter the US from Canada, although US Customs and Border Patrol data still showed a significant presence of Indian nationals—over 7K—among the total 27,610 such encounters in October and November 2024. The issue attracted renewed attention when India’s Enforcement Directorate alleged a conspiracy involving certain Canadian institutions to facilitate human smuggling across the northern US border (WD Vol 3, Issue 1, Story 9). Amid this, President-elect Donald Trump’s supporters are challenging the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, vital for international students pursuing H-1B visas, especially Indians. OPT allows F-1 visa holders to work in the US for up to 12 months, plus an additional 24 months for STEM fields. Indian enrollment jumped to 97,556 in 2023–24, prompting debate over foreign workers vs. American jobs. Critics claim OPT denies Americans opportunities, but courts have upheld it, placing nearly 97K Indian careers, including many Panjabis, hanging in the balance. Meanwhile, a recent report by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries advised India to reduce its heavy reliance on H-1B visas and emphasized professional services and maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities in anticipation of Trump’s second term. Even though the US economy continued to grow at a rate of 2.7-2.8% in 2024, the incoming administration is likely to prioritize reducing the trade deficit. Critics aligned with Trump’s earlier stance continue to push for stricter immigration controls, raising questions about how India will safeguard its talent pipeline and service-sector exports moving forward.