New Delhi, Feb. 6 -- Calling for strong crackdown against the illegal immigration industry, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday reiterated the universal obligation for countries to repatriate their nationals found living abroad illegally.

In a statement in response to an adjournment motion given by the Congress in Lok Sabha, the Minister shared figures of the UPA era to explain that illegal immigrants have been sent back by the US in the past as well.

Providing figures to illustrate the ongoing nature of the process, EAM Jaishankar shared: "In 2009, the number of deportees was 734, in 2010 it was 799, in 2011 it was 597, in 2012 it was 530, in 2013 it was 515, in 2014 it was 591 and in 2015 it was 708."

He continued wit...