A Trump appointment may be cause for concern for Indian techies. Here’s why

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 Indian immigrants — both those entering illegally and those legally in the US on work visas.
Trump’s selection of Tom Homan, former head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as his “border czar” underscores this shift.
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 confirmation. His mandate includes overseeing deportations, and he has promised to implement “the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen”.
This announcement follows Homan’s repeated assertions that Trump is the president who “did the most” to secure US borders, a stance that led to the implementation of stringent immigration policies under Trump’s previous term.
For Indian nationals, this could mean heightened risks. Over recent years, there has been a significant rise in Indians, particularly from Gujarat and Punjab, attempting to enter the US through unauthorised crossings. Many take dangerous journeys via Mexico and Canada, paying up to $70,000 to human smuggling networks, and facing extreme risks, including fatal incidents. With Homan in charge, the number of deportations is expected to surge, likely affecting those who have taken these risky routes and reinforcing the US border against future undocumented immigration.
Furthermore, Trump’s decision to reappoint Stephen Miller as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy signals a clampdown on both illegal and legal immigration that could impact thousands of Indian visa holders. Miller, who was the architect behind Trump’s immigration agenda during his first term, is known for his opposition to legal immigration.
Under his influence, H-1B visa rejections soared, and the processing of H4 EAD renewals — a work authorisation for spouses of H-1B visa holders — slowed significantly, disrupting hundreds of thousands of Indian families settled in the US With Miller back in the White House, a similar approach is anticipated, raising concerns for Indian professionals who depend on these visas.
Miller has expressed disdain for H-1B visa holders and his strong opinions were reflected when he issued the now defunct 2020 H-1B policy memo that would have rendered up to 60 per cent of Indians in the US on H1 visas, ineligible to work and stay in US Immigration.
Lawyers warn that Miller will reissue the memo, inviting court battles from lawyers and companies that rely on H-1B visas.
Homan’s role in the Trump administration has historically led to controversial policies, including the widely criticised family separation policy of 2018, under which over 5,500 children were separated from their parents at the US-Mexico border. Though this policy was eventually halted following public outrage, its architects, like Homan, continue to defend the necessity of strict immigration control measures.
Homan himself retired in frustration after his nomination for ICE head was stalled in the Senate, later joining 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 blueprint aimed at reforming federal government policies that includes stringent immigration control measures.
While Trump has distanced himself from this controversial project, its overlap with his agenda and Homan’s continued support of it underscore the administration’s stance.
Moreover, Miller’s influence extends beyond immigration enforcement to include targeting employers of undocumented immigrants. He has voiced support for resuming mass workplace raids, which had been paused by the Biden administration, in favour of targeting exploitative employers.
These measures could lead to significant workforce disruptions, affecting sectors where Indian and other immigrant workers play a crucial role. Miller has even suggested deporting entire families, potentially impacting children born in the US to undocumented parents.
The future under Trump’s second administration is set to be a challenging period for Indian immigrants. With advisors like Homan and Miller positioned to drive immigration policy, both those seeking asylum and those on temporary work visas face an uncertain landscape, as Trump doubles down on border security and strict enforcement of immigration laws.