The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed that over 1,000 Indian nationals have been deported from the United States since the beginning of 2025, underlining growing cooperation between the two countries on migration-related matters.
Addressing the media during a weekly briefing on Thursday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India continues to work closely with the U.S. on the deportation of individuals found to be residing illegally or who entered the country through unauthorized means.
“We have close cooperation between India and the United States on migration issues, particularly concerning the deportation of Indian nationals in illegal status. We take them back once we receive verified details about them,” Jaiswal said.
According to MEA figures, approximately 1,080 Indians have been deported from the U.S. since January 2025. Of these, around 62 percent returned to India on commercial flights, indicating a structured and organized repatriation process.
In addition to addressing deportation trends, Jaiswal also responded to emerging concerns about new U.S. guidance related to Student and Exchange Visitor visa applicants — a development that has sparked unease among students preparing for higher studies abroad.
Jaiswal emphasized that safeguarding the welfare of Indian students overseas remains a top priority for the government. “We have seen reports on the U.S. government’s updated guidance on visa applicants. While the issuance of visas is a sovereign function, we sincerely hope that applications from Indian students will be evaluated on merit, allowing them to join their academic programs on time,” he said.
