US Deports 4,840 Indians Since 2025 Amid Immigration Crackdown

The United States' intensified crackdown on illegal immigration has led to a significant rise in the deportation of Indian nationals, with 4,840 Indians repatriated since 2025, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The latest figures highlight the growing impact of stricter US immigration enforcement while underscoring India's role in verifying and facilitating the return of its citizens.

Speaking at the weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said 1,273 Indian nationals were deported between January and July 2026, while 3,567 were deported in 2025. He said India works closely with several governments on deportation matters and conducts thorough nationality verification before accepting any deportee. "Only after confirming that the individual is an Indian national do we facilitate their return," he said.

The latest data reflects a broader shift in US migration policy under the Trump administration, which has intensified action against undocumented migrants, visa overstayers and failed asylum applicants. The crackdown includes expanded Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, faster removal proceedings and tighter scrutiny of immigration violations.

The upward trend has been evident in recent years. Government data showed 617 Indians were deported in 2023 and 1,368 in 2024, before the numbers surged in 2025. Migration experts attribute the increase partly to the growing use of the "Dunki Route," through which many migrants travel via Latin American countries before attempting to cross the US-Mexico border. The journey reportedly costs ₹40 lakh to over ₹1 crore, often exposing migrants to trafficking networks, detention and eventual deportation.

The surge has coincided with a sharp rise in migration attempts. Asylum applications by Indian nationals reportedly increased from around 9,000 in 2018 to over 51,000 in 2023, while apprehensions of Indians at the US border climbed from about 1,000 in 2020 to more than 43,000 in 2023. In June 2026, US immigration judges also issued 801 removal orders against Indian nationals, reflecting faster processing of deportation cases.

Despite the increase in deportations, India has reiterated its support for safe, orderly and legal migration. Both India and the United States continue to cooperate on verifying undocumented migrants, combating human trafficking and expanding legal avenues for students, professionals and skilled workers, while strengthening measures to curb irregular migration.