Over 1,700 Indians sent back from US in 2025, says government

New Delhi: The US has deported 1,703 Indian nationals, including 141 women, to India this year, the government informed Parliament on Friday.

Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh told the Lok Sabha that 5,541 Indians had been deported from the US in the past five years (2020–2024). From the UK, 311 Indians were deported during the same period, while 131 have been sent back so far in 2025.

Singh said the figures could vary as some illegal immigrants with valid travel documents are deported directly by the UK government, while Emergency Travel Documents issued to others may not always be used if appeals are filed.

State-wise data showed that among the 1,703 deportees between 20 January and 22 July this year, 620 were from Punjab, 604 from Haryana, 245 from Gujarat and 10 from Jammu and Kashmir, with six listed under the “unknown” category.

The minister said 333 Indians were deported in February on US military flights, 231 in March on chartered flights operated by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and 300 in July on Department of Homeland Security charter flights. Additionally, 72 people returned via commercial flights from Panama, while 767 arrived individually or in small groups on commercial flights from the US.

Responding to a query from DMK MP Kanimozhi on steps taken to ensure humane treatment of deportees, Singh said the government has raised concerns with US authorities, particularly regarding the use of shackles on women and children. Cultural and religious sensitivities, including turbans and dietary requirements, have also been taken up.

The ministry “remains engaged” with the US side to ensure humane deportation procedures, Singh said, adding that no complaints about deportee treatment had been received after 5 February 2025.