The 2024 year is heading towards its end and its nothing but a nightmare for immigration world due to changing policies, i.e. prices, illegal immigrants and much more. By mid of 2024, we observed price rise of Caribbean citizenship programs followed by price rise, change in policies and even ending of some golden visa programs. Now the newly elected US President Donald Trump is planning to deport 1.5 million people after taking oath. These numbers include 18000 Indians in USA.
Illegal Immigrants and Chang in the USA Immigration Policy
Around a decade ago, US law makers were about to pass a bill to legalize 11 million illegal immigrants. This bill is no more on cards especially after US elections 2024 resulted in landslide victory of Donald Trump. As per news, the US ICE department (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) has marked 1.5 individuals that could be deported due to their illegal immigration status. These figures include 18000 Indians who are also facing deportation threats.
Donald Trump’s Border Czar Tom Homan and Mass Deportation
Trump has picked the Tom Homan as his “border czar” that will lead the historical and mass deportation after Trump’s oath ceremony as US president. Tom Homan is ready to lock horns with migrants without status and he that illegal immigrants should self-deport themselves
During an interview on Monday with Tom Homan, who was the former head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under Trump’s first regime, the host Sean Hannity at the Fox News host favored a grace period of two to three months. This grace period allows illegal migrants to leave the US without legal action.
Hannity said, “If you don’t self-report-deport, then you will never be given an opportunity at citizenship and when you leave, you will never be invited back, you will never be able to apply to come into the country, Sound like a good idea or no?”
Country Wise Immigrants in USA without Legal Status
As per the Pew Research Center 2022 data, Mexicans forms the largest undocumented group in the USA followed by El Salvador and India. Following tables shows the top 5 groups country wise living as illegal immigrants.
| Country | Illegal Immigrants |
| Mexico | 4000000 |
| El Salvador | 750000 |
| India | 725000 |
| Guatemala | 675000 |
| Honduras | 525000 |
Indians are the only North American country among the top 5 groups with no legal status in the USA. Rest of all four are North American countries. Out of 5 mentioned countries in the table, Mexico and Honduras have signed the E-1 and E-2 investor visa treaty with USA government.
| Continent/Region Wise Undocumented Immigrants in USA | ||||
| 2012 | Pct. Dist. | 2022 | Pct. Dist. | |
| Total: All Countries | 11,110,455 | 100.00% | 10,939,004 | 100.00% |
| North America | 6,162,485 | 55.50% | 4,517,410 | 41.30% |
| Central America | 1,516,839 | 13.70% | 2,435,380 | 22.30% |
| Caribbean | 508,143 | 4.60% | 462,773 | 4.20% |
| South America | 675,103 | 6.10% | 1,037,933 | 9.50% |
| Asia | 1,596,580 | 14.40% | 1,788,854 | 16.40% |
| Africa | 303,013 | 2.70% | 343,406 | 3.10% |
| Europe | 323,348 | 2.90% | 312,398 | 2.90% |
| Oceania | 24,943 | 0.20% | 33,241 | 0.30% |
Source: http://data.cmsny.org/
What are the Alternates for Undocumented US Immigrants?
The exodus of immigrants without a legal status in US is evident and many are worried about what will happened to them? It’s the time when US citizens are looking for alternate options during the political turmoil and differences of opinion, leaving illegal immigrants in a difficult situation. Thanks to citizenship by investment and residency by investment programs offer a legal way of living. Here are alternates for illegal immigrants in USA:
Citizenship by Investment Programs
Citizenship by investment programs offer a way to become a legal citizen of a country by contributing to the economy of that country. Investment options include non-refundable contribution to approved government projects, real estate investment, capital transfer, business and job creations to support local economy.
In return of investment, investors get citizenship and a powerful second passport with improved travel mobility across the world. A Caribbean passport typically permits visa free travel to 145+ countries and destinations including 29 Schengen states, the UK, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Russia and China. The visa free countries include all the famous options where you can travel to find employment, attend business meetings or travel for leisure.
Best Citizenship by Investment Countries
The list of best citizenship by investment countries include Caribbean countries, Nauru and Turkey. Investment options starts from 130,000 USD which can go upto 250,000 USD. Good thing is that investors can include all dependent family members in citizenship application including spouse, unmarried children, parents and grandparents. Some immigration consultants offer 10 years complementary UAE residency with St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program.
Residency by Investment Programs
Residency by investment programs offer right to live, work and do business in the country where investor choose to invest. Typically, RBI countries include European countries, i.e. Portugal, Spain, Greece, Latvia, Hungary and others. These RBI programs are often known as Golden Visa programs and permit investors travel freedom to Schengen states during residency. By meeting certain conditions, the residency programs lead to permanent citizenship of that country.
Conclusion
As the date of oath taking ceremony of Donald Trump is getting closer, situation for undocumented immigrants is getting tough. Indeed, US authorities are planning for the biggest deportation in the history and that will change the US in terms of immigration. If you are one of the 1.5 million immigrants without legal status, choose your options timely and wisely.