If you thought illegal immigrants in the U.S. came only from Mexico or other Spanish speaking countries South of the border, think again.

Our own Desi illegal population in the U.S. is growing and growing.

Between January 2000 and January 2005, the highest percentage increase of illegal immigrants in the U.S. came from India – a whopping 133%.

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Immigration Statistics, the estimated population of illegals from India was 280,000, up from 120,000 in January 2000.

Despite the highest percentage growth, Desi illegals still pale before the Mexican Amigos, whose absolute numbers have soared to 5.97 million, up from 4.68 million in January 2000.

Desi illegals likely work in a variety of professions unlike Mexican illegal amigos who work mostly in construction and cleaning.

Motels, retail stores, restaurants, gas stations, housekeeping and check cashing stores are some locations where Indian illegals may have dropped anchor.

Many Indians who have come to the U.S. as software programmers on H1B visas or on other visas turn often to motel front desk, gas station or housekeeping jobs to keep body and soul together.

It’s not just New Jersey or the Bay Area that attracts illegal Indians. Like the Mexican illegals, who first entered California, Texas and Arizona and then started moving into the heartland, Indian illegals too have likely started making their journey across the length and breadth of the U.S.

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security estimates, there were 10.5 million illegal residents on January 1, 2005. California continues to top the list of states with illegal immigrants, followed by Texas and Florida.