Miliptas (California): The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA), under the leadership of Executive Director Satnam Singh Chahal, expresses deep concern and calls for greater transparency and consistency in U.S. immigration policy following the revelation that over 13,000 noncitizens have been allowed entry into the United States under the Trump administration despite a hardline executive order issued earlier this year.
According to the latest records from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) updated through May 2025, a total of 50,071 individuals arriving by land, air, and sea were initially found “inadmissible.” However, 10,673 of them were paroled into the country, and 2,351 were issued Notices to Appear in immigration court by CBP’s Office of Field Operations (OFO) and allowed entry.
“This clearly shows that despite tough rhetoric, the actual enforcement of immigration restrictions remains inconsistent,” said Chahal. “The Punjabi and broader South Asian communities continue to be impacted by abrupt changes in immigration enforcement, making it essential to uphold humane, lawful, and transparent procedures.”
Trump’s January 22, 2025 executive order aimed to significantly reduce migrant entry, particularly at border ports. While it did lead to a sharp decline in the number of people attempting entry, the data reveals that Mexican, Canadian, Chinese, and Indian nationals continued to arrive at ports without adequate documentation. In contrast, under the previous Biden administration, Venezuelans, Mexicans, and Cubans formed the majority.
Chahal noted that while the number of parolees allowed entry under Trump is far below the figures seen during the Biden administration—just one percent of Biden-era daily averages—the issue underscores that immigration enforcement remains a complex challenge that should not be politicized.
Field data also shows that the highest numbers of paroles were issued by offices in San Diego and San Francisco, while Laredo and New York led in issuing Notices to Appear.
“These statistics, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act by TRAC, demonstrate the importance of data transparency in holding our institutions accountable,” added Chahal. “NAPA continues to advocate for immigrant rights and urges lawmakers to develop bipartisan solutions that are fair and respectful to all communities, including Punjabis and other South Asians who contribute positively to the fabric of American society.”
NAPA reaffirms its commitment to supporting immigrants through advocacy, legal awareness, and community engagement, and calls on the federal government to adopt policies rooted in justice, fairness, and human dignity.