U.S. Deports 3,258 Indian Nationals This Year

The United States has deported a total of 3,258 Indian nationals from January to date — the highest annual figure since 2009. Over the past 15 years, the U.S. has sent back 18,822 Indians in total.

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar disclosed the information in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, 4 December.

Jaishankar said that of the 3,258 people deported this year, 2,032 returned on regular commercial flights, while the remaining 1,226 were sent back on special chartered flights arranged by authorities.

Last year (2024), the number stood at 1,368, while in 2023 the U.S. deported 617 Indians. According to Pew Research Center estimates, around 725,000 undocumented Indian immigrants live in the United States — the third-largest undocumented group after Mexico and El Salvador.

After Donald Trump assumed office for his second term as U.S. President, the administration adopted a stricter stance on undocumented immigrants. As part of that policy, the U.S. identified around 18,000 Indians as illegal entrants, and deportations began in February this year.

Jaishankar added that the Indian government is actively working to curb illegal migration, dismantle human-trafficking networks, and assist citizens stranded abroad.