Indians constitute a mere 2.08 percent of the total number of 11.5 million foreign illegal immigrants living in the United States.

According to latest figures released by the US authorities, an estimated 2,40,000 Indian immigrants have been illegally staying in the US giving India the seventh position in the list with Mexico standing first with 6.8 million illegal immigrants.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security said in a statement today the number of Indian illegal immigrants staying in the US has been doubled between 2000 and 2011. The figures indicate that El Salvador stands second with 6,60,000 immigrants, Guatemala third with 5,20,000,  Honduras fourth with 3,80,000, China fifth with 280,000 and Philippines sixth with 270,000 illegal immigrants.

India is followed by Korea, Ecuador and Vietnam with their share of 230,000, 210,000 and 170,000 immigrants respectively.

However, 8.9 million of the total 11.5 million immigrants living in the US are from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America and they constitute 77 per cent among themselves.

California state continued to be the residence for most of the illegal immigrants, according to the statement. (J)