Saturday, March 29, 2025
Since Donald Trump’s return as President of the United States, deportations of Indian nationals have significantly surged. According to data released by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), a total of 1,703 Indians were forcibly repatriated from the US between January and July 2025. This translates to an average of eight deportations per day—more than three times the yearly average seen during the Biden administration and Trump’s previous term.
The sharp spike comes amid the Trump administration’s intensified crackdown on illegal immigration and visa violations. Since early 2025, the administration has toughened immigration protocols and increased monitoring of non-citizens, even after visa issuance. On June 26, the US State Department made it clear that visa holders remain under surveillance and that any breach of conditions could lead to visa cancellation and deportation. Additionally, unauthorized entry into the country could result in arrest, deportation, and a permanent visa ban.
The MEA report highlights the various means through which Indians are being sent back. Of the 1,703 individuals deported so far in 2025, 864 were flown back on chartered or military aircraft. In February alone, US border authorities deported 333 Indians via three separate operations. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) returned 231 Indians through chartered flights in March and June, while the Department of Homeland Security deported 300 more across two flights in July.
The remaining 747 Indian nationals returned on commercial flights, either individually or in small groups. Additionally, 72 Indians were deported from Panama after being caught attempting to illegally enter the US.
In response to these deportations, the Indian government has urged the US to ensure humane treatment during the process. The MEA expressed concern over reports of women and children being shackled and incidents that may have hurt religious and cultural sentiments. “We remain in constant communication with American authorities and expect Indian nationals to be treated with dignity and respect,” said an MEA spokesperson.
A striking 90% of the deported individuals originated from just five Indian states. Punjab tops the list with 620 deportees, followed closely by Haryana (604), Gujarat (245), Uttar Pradesh (38), and Goa (26). Other states saw significantly lower figures—Maharashtra and Delhi (20 each), Telangana (19), Tamil Nadu (17), Andhra Pradesh and Uttarakhand (12 each), and Karnataka (5).
This growing trend signals a hardening stance on immigration under Trump’s renewed presidency, with Indian nationals bearing a significant brunt of the policy shift.
