Sharp rise in Indian deportations from the U.S. in 2025

Washington records highest Indian deportations, with numbers surging past 3,400, highlighting enforcement intensification.

Protesters opposing mass deportations by ICE hold signs during a protest held at the Cassidy Gate at Fort Bliss, the U.S. Army base where a large new ICE detention facility is being built, in El Paso, Texas, U.S., August 17, 2025. / REUTERS/Paul Ratje

Deportations of Indian nationals from the United States have risen steeply over the past five years, with 2025 witnessing a pronounced spike, particularly from Washington, according to official data presented in Indian Parliament. Overall, more than 3,800 Indian nationals were deported from the US in 2025, reflecting a marked escalation in enforcement actions.

The information was submitted to the Rajya Sabha by Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs, in a written reply to a question raised by Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala. The question sought year-wise details of deportations, steps taken to prevent illegal migration—especially through irregular routes commonly referred to as the “Dunki route”—and measures to curb fraudulent recruitment practices.

The data shows a steady increase in the number of Indians deported from various cities in the United States over the period 2021 to 2025, with a particularly sharp rise in 2024 and 2025.

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The data also breaks down deportations by Indian consular jurisdictions in the US during 2025: Houston (234) recorded the highest number, followed by San Francisco (49), New York (47), Atlanta (31) and Seattle (31).

Washington recorded by far the highest number of deportations throughout the period. After fluctuating between 805 and 862 cases in 2021–2022 and dropping to 617 in 2023, deportations surged dramatically to 1,368 in 2024 and escalated further to 3,414 in 2025, indicating a significant enforcement intensification.

Other U.S. cities showed lower but gradually rising figures.

• New York experienced a modest increase from 16 cases in 2021 to 47 in 2025.

• Atlanta saw relatively low numbers overall, though deportations rose from 5 in 2023 to 31 in 2025.

• Houston displayed a notable spike, increasing sharply from 42 in 2024 to 234 in 2025, marking one of the most pronounced year-on-year jumps outside Washington.

• San Francisco recorded moderate fluctuations, ending with 49 deportations in 2025.

• Seattle, which reported no deportations from 2021 to 2023, began recording cases in 2024 and rose significantly to 31 in 2025.

Beyond the US, the government reported significant deportations from the Gulf and Southeast Asia. In Saudi Arabia, 4,335 Indians were deported through the embassy in Riyadh and 8,921 through the consulate in Jeddah in 2025. From the
UAE, 1,662 deportations were recorded via Abu Dhabi and 7,896 via Dubai last year. Myanmar accounted for 1,605 deportations in 2025.

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Comments

JD

James DURAISWAMY

2026-02-06 00:00:00

I see people holding signs demanding an end to deportations and claiming it is a human right to stay in the United States. Has anyone asked why these individuals are being deported? They either entered the country illegally or violated U.S. law. Despite what some commentators say, immigration laws are still laws, and breaking them has consequences.

I have been an immigrant in the United States for the past 50 years. When someone is here illegally, the best advice is to find a way to adjust their status as soon as possible. Things can change quickly, and we are seeing that now.

Some argue that it is acceptable to ignore immigration laws for political gain by offering benefits in exchange for votes. Minnesota is often cited as an example. Voting, however, is a right reserved for U.S. citizens—not for individuals who are here illegally. This is why many people view the current approach of the Democratic Party as part of the problem rather than the solution.

Now there is strong opposition to the SAVE Act, with claims that it represents a return to the Jim Crow era. Senator Schumer has been in government for nearly 50 years, yet many feel he has done little to improve the well‑being of the American people. Identification is required everywhere—airports, office buildings, and countless other places—so why should voting be the exception?