As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his second term, his recent appointments and policy announcements point to a hardline stance on immigration, with significant implications for both Indian immigrants who enter illegally and those who enter the United States legally on work visas. Trump’s selection of former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) head Tom Homan as his “border czar” underlines this change. Homan, a known proponent of aggressive border enforcement, will oversee both the southern and northern borders, as well as maritime and aviation security, without requiring Senate approval. Homan’s job includes overseeing deportations, and he has vowed to implement “the largest deportation operation this country has ever seen.”

The announcement follows Homan’s repeated claims that Trump was the president who “did the most” to secure U.S. borders, which led to the implementation of strict immigration policies during his previous term. For Indian citizens, this could mean increased risks. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in attempts by Indians, particularly from Gujarat and Punjab, to enter the United States through unauthorized crossings. Many undertake dangerous journeys through Mexico and Canada, paying up to $70,000 to human trafficking networks and facing extreme risks, including fatal incidents. With Homan in office, the number of deportations is expected to increase, possibly affecting those taking these risky routes and strengthening U.S. borders against future undocumented immigration.

Moreover, Trump’s decision to reappoint Stephen Miller as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy signals a crackdown on both illegal and legal immigration that could affect thousands of Indian visa holders. Miller, who was the architect of Trump’s immigration agenda in his first term, is known for his stance against legal immigration. Under his influence, H-1B visa denials skyrocketed and processing of H4 EAD renewals, a work permit for spouses of H-1B visa holders, slowed significantly, disrupting hundreds of thousands of Indian families settling in the US. A similar approach is expected from the White House, raising concerns for Indian professionals who depend on these visas. Miller expressed disdain for H1B visa holders, and his strong views were reflected when he released the now-expired 2020 H1B policy memo; this proclamation meant that up to 60% of Indians in the US on H1 visas would be ineligible to work and stay with US Immigration Lawyers. Warn that Miller will reissue the memo and invite court battles from lawyers and companies that rely on H1B visas.

Homan’s role in the Trump administration has led to historically controversial policies; these included the widely criticized family separation policy in 2018, in which more than 5,500 children were separated from their parents at the US-Mexico border. Although the policy was halted following public outrage, its architects, such as Homan, continue to advocate for strict immigration control measures. Homan retired in frustration after his nomination to head ICE was delayed in the Senate, and later joined Fox News as a contributor and the conservative Heritage Foundation. He has remained an active advocate of Trump’s immigration policies, including Project 2025, a plan aimed at reforming federal government policies that include strict immigration control measures. Although Trump has distanced himself from this controversial project, the fact that this project aligns with his agenda and Homan continues to support the project underscores the administration’s stance.

Moreover, Miller’s influence extends beyond immigration enforcement to include targeting employers who employ undocumented immigrants. He supported the resumption of mass workplace raids targeting exploitative employers, which were halted by the Biden administration. These measures could lead to significant workforce disruptions, affecting sectors where Indian and other migrant workers play a significant role. Miller even suggested deporting entire families, potentially impacting the return of children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents.

The future under Trump’s second administration will be a challenging time for Indian immigrants. With advisors like Homan and Miller in a position to guide immigration policy, both those seeking asylum and those on temporary work visas face an uncertain landscape; because Trump is doubling down on border security and strict enforcement of immigration laws.