682 Indian Nationals Deported from U.S. in 2025: Government Addresses Concerns

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has revealed that a total of 682 Indian nationals has been deported from the United States since January 2025, primarily due to attempts to enter the U.S. illegally. Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, disclosed these figures during a session in the Lok Sabha on Friday. Singh assured that these deportations would not significantly affect India’s remittance flows, as most of the deportees were apprehended at the U.S. border and sent back after a thorough verification process.

India-U.S. Cooperation on Illegal Immigration and Human Trafficking

The Indian government has emphasized its ongoing cooperation with U.S. authorities to address illegal immigration and human trafficking issues. Singh noted that India is committed to taking robust action against criminal facilitators and illegal immigration networks operating across borders.

Singh further stated that the Indian government continues to work closely with U.S. officials on cases involving individuals who entered the U.S. illegally, overstayed their visas, or lived in the country without proper documentation or criminal convictions. “The Government of India continues to work in close coordination with the U.S. government on all cases of deportation involving individuals who have illegally entered the U.S.,” Singh explained.

Strong Measures Against Criminal Facilitators

In his address, Singh emphasized that India is scrutinizing and verifying lists of individuals identified for deportation by the U.S. government. Only individuals verified as Indian nationals are accepted for repatriation back to India. The government is also taking action against several illegal immigration agents and human trafficking syndicates that facilitate such illegal movements.

“The list of individuals identified for deportation by the U.S. is thoroughly scrutinized and verified by the relevant agencies of the Government of India. Only those verified as Indian nationals are accepted for deportation back to India,” Singh added.

Ongoing Investigations into Illegal Immigration Networks

In response to queries regarding individuals who may have entered the U.S. illegally, Singh noted that the Indian government does not maintain specific data on such individuals. However, based on testimonies from returning deportees, the government has launched investigations into various human trafficking syndicates and illegal immigration agents involved in facilitating these illegal activities.

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“Data on such people is only received from the U.S. authorities in the context of repatriation exercises from time to time. Based on the harrowing accounts and testimonies of returning deportees, the Central and the respective state governments and agencies have registered cases and are investigating several illegal immigration agents, criminal facilitators, and human trafficking syndicates,” Singh said.

Deportation Statistics and Concerns Over Treatment

Since 2009, a total of 15,564 Indian nationals have been deported from the United States. Of this number, 388 individuals have been deported since January 2025. The ongoing deportations have raised concerns about the treatment of deportees, with the Indian government expressing its strong concerns to U.S. authorities regarding the handling of Indian nationals during the deportation process.

In conclusion, while the deportations have raised several issues, the Indian government remains committed to ensuring that the process is transparent, fair, and secure for all involved. With continued efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation with the U.S. on immigration matters, India is working toward finding long-term solutions to illegal immigration and human trafficking.