Milpitas(California)Satnam Singh Chahal, Executive Director of the North American Punjabi Association (NAPA), has expressed deep concern regarding the persistent and complex issue of noncitizens seeking entry into the United States without adequate documentation. Drawing from the latest records released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Chahal highlighted that a staggering 65,870 individuals have been classified as “inadmissible” at U.S. ports of entry—by land, air, and sea—since President Donald Trump assumed office, with data updated through May 2025.
Chahal pointed to President Trump’s executive order issued on January 22, 2025, as a critical turning point that significantly reduced the number of migrants attempting unauthorised entry. However, this policy shift also changed the demographic profile of those attempting to enter. Under Trump, the majority of inadmissibles were Mexicans, followed by Canadians, Chinese nationals, and Indian citizens. In contrast, during President Biden’s administration, the majority were Venezuelans, Mexicans, and Cubans.An important observation Chahal noted was the change in Canadian inadmissible, which increased by 15% during FY 2025, even as Mexican inadmissibles declined by half. This rise in Canadian cases is especially relevant for Punjabi communities, many of whom travel from Canada to the U.S. for education, family visits, or economic opportunities.
While President Trump’s administration has touted a hardline approach, it has not entirely halted the entry of undocumented individuals. As of May 2025, 12,347 noncitizens were granted parole into the United States, and 2,680 were issued Notices to Appear (NTAs) in Immigration Court—effectively allowing them temporary entry to pursue asylum or other legal claims. Chahal highlighted that these numbers, although significantly lower than under President Biden’s tenure, reflect a continued policy of discretionary entry rather than a complete shutdown.Chahal also emphasised that the Trump administration’s daily parole admissions stand at just one-third of the average daily numbers under Biden, illustrating a drastic contraction in humanitarian admissions, particularly for asylum seekers.
Furthermore, CBP field operations displayed varying enforcement patterns. San Diego and San Francisco led the nation in paroling individuals into the country, while Laredo and Tampa followed. In terms of issuing NTAs, Laredo and New York were the top offices, with San Diego ranking third.These findings are the result of an extensive and data-driven analysis conducted by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), which acquired this detailed case-by-case information through persistent use of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Chahal urged the federal government to ensure that while national security remains paramount, the rights and dignity of migrants—many of whom are fleeing persecution or seeking family reunification—must be respected. He also called upon the Punjabi diaspora to stay informed, lawful, and cooperative with immigration laws, and encouraged policymakers to engage with civil society organizations like NAPA to address the root causes behind unauthorized migration.“Behind every number is a human story. Our responsibility is not only to analyze the data but to advocate for humane, balanced, and just immigration policies,” Chahal concluded.