Significant Number of Indians Deported from the US: MEA Report

The Ministry of External Affairs has reported that 1,703 Indians were deported from the United States between January and July 2023. Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat were the states with the highest numbers of deportees. The ministry is actively engaging with US authorities to ensure humane treatment during deportation processes, addressing concerns about shackling and cultural sensitivities. This report comes amid tightened US immigration policies and highlights ongoing issues faced by undocumented Indian migrants in the US.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 1, 2025, 20:54 IST

Overview of Deportations

On Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs informed the Lok Sabha that a total of 1,703 Indians were deported from the United States between January 20 and July 22.

Punjab recorded the highest number of deportations with 620 individuals, followed closely by Haryana with 604 and Gujarat with 245, as stated by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh during a parliamentary session.

Singh was addressing a query from Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi regarding the deportation of Indian nationals from the US.

Out of the total deportees, 767 returned via commercial flights, while 333 were sent back on US military flights. Additionally, 231 individuals were repatriated on charter flights arranged by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Singh noted.

Among those deported, 1,562 were men and 141 were women.

Singh emphasized that the foreign ministry is actively engaging with US authorities to ensure that deportees are treated humanely during these operations.

He also mentioned that concerns have been formally raised with the US regarding the treatment of deportees, particularly issues related to the use of shackles on women and children.

Furthermore, the ministry has addressed concerns regarding religious and cultural sensitivities, including dietary preferences and the use of turbans.

Singh pointed out that there have been no complaints regarding the mistreatment of deportees since February 5.

Since the beginning of the year, the US administration under Donald Trump has been tightening immigration policies, with military aircraft being utilized in some instances to repatriate undocumented migrants.

The Opposition has criticized the Indian government following the release of videos showing Indian deportees on US military flights in shackles. However, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar clarified on February 6 in the Rajya Sabha that this practice aligns with previous procedures.

On May 19, the US Department of State announced visa restrictions on individuals associated with Indian travel agencies that were found to be facilitating illegal immigration to the US.

A report from the United States Department of Homeland Security in 2022 estimated that approximately 220,000 undocumented Indian migrants reside in the country.