Trump Targets Indian Travel Agencies Over Alleged Migrant “Smuggling”

• Trump Targets Indian Travel Agencies
• Visas Revoked Over Illegal Immigration
• Use of “Donkey Route” Denounced

The United States has revoked the visas of executives and owners of travel agencies in India accused of facilitating illegal immigration.

The measure was announced by Donald Trump’s administration on Monday as part of an effort to curb a growing form of irregular entry into the U.S.

U.S. authorities allege that certain travel agencies in India sell travel packages to the U.S. that do not include a return flight.

This practice, known as the “donkey route,” is used by migrants who intend to stay and work in the U.S. without documentation.

«We Will Continue to Impose Visa Restrictions,» Says Trump

“Our immigration policy aims not only to inform foreign nationals about the dangers of illegal immigration to the United States but also to hold accountable those who violate our laws, including facilitators of illegal immigration,” said Tammy Bruce, spokesperson for the State Department.

Bruce stated that the Consular Affairs Service at the U.S. mission in India “works daily” to identify and take action against individuals involved in human trafficking networks or who promote irregular entry into the country.

She also emphasized that this new move is part of a broader policy to dismantle such networks through targeted measures against those who lead them.

“The Trump Administration will continue to impose visa restrictions on owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies in order to dismantle migrant smuggling networks,” the spokesperson warned.

The decision comes amid escalating tensions over immigration and an increasingly hardline stance from the former Republican president, who has made border control a central pillar of his political strategy.

The revocation of visas is not only a direct sanction against those responsible but is also intended to send a warning to other intermediaries who might consider engaging in such operations.

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With this move, the White House aims to significantly reduce irregular entry routes by tightening control over actors involved in migration processes.

The measure could have diplomatic repercussions between Washington and New Delhi, especially if India perceives the sanctions as a sign of mistrust toward its commercial or tourism sectors.

Trump’s decision reflects an increasingly restrictive immigration policy and puts a spotlight on networks operating outside U.S. borders, reinforcing his administration’s intent to act at the source to curb illegal immigration.

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SOURCE: EFE