US Deportations of Indian Nationals Increase
The US has deported over 4,800 Indian nationals since the start of 2025, with 1,273 of those returned between January and July this year, as reported by India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
This surge in deportations aligns with the US government’s tough stance on illegal immigration, which began shortly after President Donald Trump took office last year. According to information shared in Parliament, the number of Indians sent back has reached its highest level in 16 years, marking a significant increase.
In a regular media briefing, spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “From January 1 to now in 2026, 1,273 Indians have been deported. Last year, a total of 3,567 Indian nationals were sent back from the US.”
Jaiswal addressed concerns regarding the deportation process, noting that India’s government is actively collaborating with various foreign governments to manage these cases. He emphasized that India conducts careful checks to confirm the nationality of individuals before facilitating their return.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar assured Parliament in December that efforts are in place to protect the rights of Indian nationals during deportations. He expressed that Indian authorities are in communication with US officials to ensure fair treatment. Notably, incidents involving the mistreatment of elderly and vulnerable individuals during deportation flights have raised alarms, prompting India to formally protest.
The number of deportations saw a stark rise from 734 cases in 2009, the last year with available figures for comparison, signaling a growing trend.
Additionally, Jaiswal responded to inquiries about a new bill passed by the US Senate, which would enable President Trump to impose hefty tariffs on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India. He stated that India is monitoring these developments closely, reiterating the importance of securing energy needs for its vast population of 1.4 billion through diverse sources, including from the US.
This legislation, which passed with a strong majority, could lead to significant tariffs for countries relying heavily on Russian energy. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for further discussion. India’s increased purchases of Russian crude, amid global sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have added to the complexity of the situation, particularly as the US has pressured India to reduce such imports.
