The Indian government has revealed that a total of 388 Indian nationals have been deported from the United States since January 2025. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh provided this information in a written response in the Lok Sabha, outlining details of these deportations and the government’s response.
According to official data, 333 of these individuals were deported directly from the US to India on three separate chartered military flights in February. Additionally, 55 Indians were deported through Panama on commercial flights. Kirti Vardhan Singh further stated that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authorities have provided information regarding 295 additional Indian nationals currently detained in the US with final orders of removal. The Ministry of External Affairs, along with other relevant agencies, is in the process of verifying their details.
Concerns regarding the treatment of deportees have been raised in Parliament, including whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi had discussed the issue with former US President Donald Trump and other senior US officials. The government reiterated its firm stance against illegal immigration while emphasizing the need for humane treatment of deportees. During Modi’s visit to the US on February 12-13, both nations acknowledged the importance of combating illegal immigration and human trafficking, pledging stronger cooperation against criminal facilitators and illegal immigration networks.
The US authorities have clarified that only those individuals who violated US immigration laws are being deported. Kirti Vardhan Singh pointed out that illegal migration often exposes individuals to further exploitation and crime, with several deportees sharing harrowing experiences upon their return.
A significant deportation occurred on February 5 when 104 Indian nationals were sent back on a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft, which landed at Amritsar airport. This marked the first batch of deportations under the Trump administration’s intensified crackdown on illegal immigration. Reports of mistreatment during these deportations led to public outrage in India. The Ministry of External Affairs has formally raised concerns with the US government, particularly regarding the use of restraints, including shackles on women.
Since 2009, the US has deported a total of 15,564 Indian nationals. The government also addressed queries about why Amritsar was chosen as the landing site for recent deportation flights, explaining that such decisions are based on operational convenience, airspace entry routes, and the proximity of deportees’ final destinations.
Data provided by the government also detailed the state-wise distribution of deportees, with the majority coming from Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat. The deportations highlight the urgent need for legal, safe migration policies while addressing the exploitation of individuals by human trafficking networks.
