Lok Sabha Question No. 2272 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-01
Subject: Deportation of Indian Nationals from USA
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Smt. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 2272

ANSWERED ON - 01/08/2025

## DEPORTATION OF INDIAN NATIONALS FROM USA

2272. SMT. KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether   the   Government   maintains   data   regarding   Indian citizens who have been deported from the USA since January 2025 and if so, the details thereof, including the modes of deportation;
- (b) whether the Government has taken any diplomatic steps to ensure   better   coordination   and   humane   treatment   of   Indian nationals facing deportation from the USA and other countries;
- (c) whether the Government   has received any formal communication from the USA regarding recent changes or delays in student visa processes, especially the reported suspension of fresh appointments   for   student   and   exchange   visitor   visas   (F,   M,   J categories), if so, the details thereof;

- (d) whether the Government has any mechanism to monitor the status   of   Indian   students   and   migrants   in   the   USA   facing deportation,   denial   of visa   or   social   media-based   vetting procedures, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the details regarding the steps taken to rehabilitate deported Indian Students?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a to b) Between 20 January and 22 July 2025, a total of 1,703 Indian nationals were deported by the U.S. Government to India. Of them, there were 1,562 men and 141 women. The breakup of deportees by modes of deportation is placed below:

| Mode of deportation                                                  | Date                      |   Number |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------|----------|
| U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Military) Flights                | Feb 5, Feb 15, and Feb 16 |      333 |
| Charter flights operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement | Mar 19, Jun 8, and Jun 25 |      231 |

| (ICE)'s Enforcement and Removal Operations                                |                                                                                                            |       |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|
| Deportation through Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Charter Flights | Jul 5, and Jul 18                                                                                          | 300   |
| Commercial Flights from Panama                                            | Deportees arrived in India individually or in small groups, as and when their flight tickets were arranged | 72    |
| Commercial Flights from USA                                               | Deportees arrived in India individually or in small groups, as and when their flight tickets were arranged | 767   |
| Total (till 22 July)                                                      |                                                                                                            | 1,703 |

## The State/UT-wise breakup of the deportees is placed below:

| State / UT   |   Number of Deportee(s) |
|--------------|-------------------------|
| Punjab       |                     620 |
| Haryana      |                     604 |

| Gujarat          |   245 |
|------------------|-------|
| Uttar Pradesh    |    38 |
| Goa              |    26 |
| Maharashtra      |    20 |
| Delhi            |    20 |
| Telangana        |    19 |
| Tamil Nadu       |    17 |
| Andhra Pradesh   |    12 |
| Uttarakhand      |    12 |
| Himachal Pradesh |    10 |
| Jammu & Kashmir  |    10 |
| Kerala           |     8 |
| Chandigarh       |     8 |
| Madhya Pradesh   |     7 |
| Rajasthan        |     7 |
| West Bengal      |     6 |

| Karnataka   | 5     |
|-------------|-------|
| Odisha      | 1     |
| Bihar       | 1     |
| Jharkhand   | 1     |
| Unknown     | 6     |
| TOTAL       | 1,703 |

The Ministry of External Affairs remains engaged with the U.S. side to ensure the humane treatment of deportees during deportation operations. The Ministry strongly registered its concerns with the U.S. authorities on the treatment of  deportees, particularly with respect to use of   shackles,   especially   on   women   and   children. Concerns with regards to religious / cultural sensitivities including the use of turbans and dietary preferences have also been formally taken up with the U.S. side. This Ministry has not received any complaint pertaining to treatment of deportees on any flight after February 5, 2025.

(c   to   e)   The   Ministry   of   External   Affairs   received   several representations from Indian students and their families flagging

difficulties   in   obtaining   student   visa   appointments.   The   Ministry took up the matter with U.S. Embassy in New Delhi as well as the U.S. Department of State. In response, the US side has shared the following:

-  Additional security requirements for student visas have further reduced the capacity of the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India to process visas. However, student visa appointments are now open.
-  For   J-1   physician   category,   the   US   side   has   launched   a software-based   solution   to   prioritize   their   appointments. Several students who had previously reported unavailability of appointment slots under this category of visa and have now been able to get appointments.
-  U.S.   Embassy   is   working   to   open   a   limited   number   of
- additional   student   visa   appointments   through   the   end   of August   in   recognition   of   the   urgent   need   for   these appointments before the start of the new academic year.
-  The US Embassy is developing a student visa fact sheet with Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that should help reduce uncertainty around this issue.

While   the   issuance   of   visa   is   a   sovereign   prerogative   of   the concerned country, the Ministry of External Affairs has consistently raised with the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi as well as the U.S. State Department   in   Washington,   D.C.   the   issues   being   faced   by prospective Indian students in obtaining U.S. visas.

The   Government   of   India   remains   engaged   with   the   U.S. Government to promote mutually advantageous and secure mobility frameworks that allow for streamlining avenues for legal mobility of students and professionals, and facilitating short-term tourist and business travel.

Indian Missions/Posts in the U.S. maintain regular contacts with the Indian   students   enrolled   in   U.S.   universities.   Our   Embassy   and Consulates have dedicated officers who closely track education / student welfare related matters. Indian students travelling abroad for higher studies are also encouraged to register on the MADAD Portal.

The grievances of Indian migrants abroad, including students, are dealt with by Indian Missions/Posts on priority and are responded to

almost   on   a   real   time   basis   through   telephone   calls,   walk-ins, emails, social media, 24x7 emergency helplines, Open Houses and the   MADAD   Portal.   Those   in   distress   are   provided   all   possible consular   assistance,   including   emergency   medical   care   and boarding/lodging, whenever required. The Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) has been set up in Indian Missions/Posts abroad for assisting overseas Indian nationals, including Indian students, in distress situations on a means tested basis for deserving cases.

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