US, Mexico Bolster Border Security Amid Deportations

A group of 104 Indian deportees recently arrived in Amritsar after attempting illegal entry into the US via the Mexico border, using routes through South America, Europe, and Canada. These routes, often depicted in Indian films, involve traveling to countries like Brazil or Ecuador before proceeding to the US border with the help of agents, incurring costs up to Rs 1 crore. The deportees, primarily from Punjab, Gujarat, and Haryana, were apprehended amid tightened US border controls under President Trump's administration, leading to a decline in border crossings in areas like Yuma, Arizona, and increased deportation activities by ICE. Concurrently, Mexico has deployed troops to its northern border as part of a deal with the US to curb illegal migration and drug smuggling, which includes joint operations to locate tunnels used for illegal crossings. These developments reflect intensified bilateral border security efforts.