Royce Murray Highlights U.S-India Collaboration in Expanding Removal Flights

In a recent media briefing, Royce Bernstein Murray, Assistant Secretary for Border and Immigration Policy at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), addressed the U.S. government’s intensified efforts to enforce immigration laws, particularly through the deportation of Indian nationals who entered the United States unlawfully. Murray also emphasized DHS’s commitment to curbing human smuggling and irregular migration from India through close collaboration with the Government of India.

Assistant Secretary Murray highlighted a recent charter removal flight of  Indian nationals, adding that this operation builds upon an ongoing series of repatriation flights for individuals with no legal basis to remain in the U.S. "This initiative," Murray noted, "is part of the broader mission to enforce U.S. immigration laws and deliver appropriate consequences for unauthorized entry while encouraging legal migration pathways."

Murray recently returned from a visit to India, where she observed the repatriation process firsthand, underscoring the strong cooperation between the two governments in combating transnational human smuggling networks. She stated, “Our ongoing collaboration with the Indian government is crucial in reducing irregular migration and ensuring a lawful, orderly approach to U.S.-India migration matters.”

In fiscal year 2024 alone, over 1,100 Indian nationals were deported, reflecting a steady increase in such cases in recent years, alongside an uptick in Indian encounters at U.S. borders. Although the specific regions of origin within India are not meticulously tracked, the most recent flight landed in Punjab to facilitate smoother reintegration for deported individuals.

Assistant Secretary Murray explained that the U.S.-India partnership also includes awareness campaigns aimed at vulnerable youth and individuals susceptible to exploitation by human traffickers. DHS is leveraging social media and media partnerships to amplify messaging about the risks of irregular migration, visa requirements, and legal routes for studying or working in the U.S.

Murray clarified that the removals process is purely administrative and unrelated to other legal or diplomatic matters between the U.S. and India. She concluded by reiterating DHS’s commitment to lawful migration, adding that “we value our partnership with the Indian government and are committed to mutual efforts to prevent irregular migration.” 

This discussion signals a deeper, multifaceted relationship between DHS and Indian authorities as they address the challenges posed by irregular migration, while also ensuring public awareness and operational transparency in enforcing immigration laws.