Saudi Arabia heads Indian deportations amid Trump policies: Indian Govt

With over 24,600 Indians deported from 81 countries in 2025, Saudi Arabia ranks first, while the U.S. stands second.

U.S. authorities deporting Indian immigrants. / Reuters/Adrees Latif

The Government of India recently stated that Saudi Arabia has recorded the highest number of deportations of Indian nationals in 2025 due to the strict enforcement of immigration and labour laws, including action against visa overstays, illegal employment, and absconding workers.

With U.S. President Donald Trump’s revived push against illegal immigration, including a crackdown on undocumented Indian nationals and stricter deportation measures, America was anticipated to be first on the list.

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However, according to the Ministry of External Affairs data, tabled in the Rajya Sabha during the Winter Session, over 24,600 Indians were deported from 81 countries in 2025, with Saudi Arabia ranking first, while the U.S. stands second.

Other countries with a significant number of deportations of Indians include Myanmar (1,591), United Arab Emirates (1,469), Bahrain (764), Malaysia (1,485), Thailand (481), and Cambodia (305).

The statement also mentioned that the deportation of Indian students was the highest from the UK (170), followed by Australia (114), Russia (82), and the US (45).

Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, stated that, as per the Indian Mission in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, recorded about 7,019 deportations in 2025.

In 2024, 9,206 deportations were recorded from Saudi Arabia, and between 2021 and 2023, 30,650 Indians were deported from Saudi Arabia.

Kirti Vardhan Singh also cited data from the U.S., mentioning that between 2021 and 2023, around 2,284 deportations were recorded. However, in 2024, 1,368 deportations were recorded from the U.S., in 2024 and 3,414 Indians were deported this year so far.

The MEA noted several reasons behind the high deportation figures, including overstaying beyond visa validity and working without valid work permits, among others. The Ministry also mentioned that other reasons for deportation are absconding from employers and violations of local labour laws.

Comments

ZI

Zafar Iqbal

2025-12-29 00:00:00

It is alarming that so many Indian nationals are being deported from countries around the world for various violations. The question is stark: why are so many risking everything to leave, even as India rises as a Vishwaguru on the global stage? The stricter H1B visa rules in the USA will hit aspiring IT professionals hard, but perhaps this is also a wake-up call. India can no longer afford to let its brightest minds leave. Policymakers must act decisively to create programs that retain and deploy this talent within the country—turning brain drain into brain gain and crisis into opportunity. Zafar Iqbal