Amid mounting opposition demands for a discussion on the recent deportation of over 100 illegal Indian immigrants from the United States, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar addressed Parliament on Thursday. He not only disclosed the complete data on Indian deportations from the US since 2009 but also emphasized that these deportations are carried out under the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) established in 2012 by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In his statement, Jaishankar stressed that the focus should be on combating the illegal immigration industry rather than questioning the deportation process, which has been in place for years.
Ensuring the safety and welfare of the Indian diaspora remains a key priority for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. Since 2014, Indian Embassies and Consulates worldwide have actively facilitated the repatriation of undocumented Indian immigrants after verifying their nationality.
For instance, when Kuwait deported 1,700 Indian nationals in December 2015 for violating visa residency laws, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) worked closely with Kuwaiti authorities to ensure their safe return.
Highlighting the Indian government’s proactive approach, former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had stated in Parliament in May 2016: “Steps taken by our Missions include requesting local authorities for speedy trials, seeking remission of sentences, providing advice and guidance in legal and other matters, ensuring fair and humane treatment in foreign jails, issue of emergency certificates, and repatriation to India of those who are released.”
A similar situation arose earlier in Saudi Arabia. In 2013, Riyadh had warned the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government about the plight of Indians stranded there.
“During the seven-month grace period given by the Saudi government from April to November 2013, overstaying expatriate workers were asked to either regularize their status or leave the country without facing penalties. Over 1.4 million Indian workers availed the concessions, and during this period, more than 141,000 Indian workers left Saudi Arabia on final exit,” then Minister of State for External Affairs Edappakath Ahamed had informed Rajya Sabha in February 2014.
Under the leadership of the new BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, countries like the US began to recognize India’s serious approach toward legal immigration and its commitment to the welfare of the estimated 25 million-strong overseas Indian community.
In 2017, the Indian government closely monitored US President Donald Trump’s Executive Order titled “Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States.” This order directed US agencies to fully enforce immigration laws against all removable aliens.
Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha in July 2017 regarding deportations from the US, Sushma Swaraj had stated that since 2014, 702 undocumented Indian nationals had been issued travel documents for their safe return to India.
“Issues relating to the welfare of the Indian diaspora in the United States are constantly under discussion between the two governments. Our Embassy and Consulates in the US are also in regular contact with local Indian community groups to address any emergent issues relating to the diaspora. The government remains vigilant to developments impacting the lives of Indians abroad and will do everything possible to safeguard their interests and welfare,” she had affirmed.
The MEA acknowledges the challenges in accurately identifying the number of Indians living or working illegally abroad, as many foreign governments only provide such information when deportation proceedings require nationality verification and travel documentation.
Deportation procedures vary significantly across countries. Some nations do not detain deportees but instead house them in detention or deportation centers until repatriation. Additionally, in many cases, information about the detention or deportation of Indian nationals is not shared with Indian Missions or Posts. When deportees possess valid travel documents, host governments often proceed with deportation independently. Indian Missions/Posts are generally contacted only when nationality verification or the issuance of an Emergency Certificate (EC) is necessary.
Between 2017 and 2022, 132,456 Indian nationals received Emergency Certificates from Indian Missions/Posts abroad to facilitate their deportation or repatriation due to reasons such as illegal immigration, overstaying, or minor legal offenses. Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan provided this data in a July 2022 parliamentary session.
He further elaborated, stating: “Whenever any detention of an Indian national for violation of immigration laws is brought to our notice, our Missions/Posts abroad seek consular access and visit detention centers where Indian nationals are held. After confirmation of Indian nationality, our Missions/Posts abroad issue Emergency Certificates to Indian nationals, who do not hold valid Indian passports, to facilitate their return to India.”
Muraleedharan also noted that Indian officials attend court hearings related to immigration law violations involving Indian nationals. Some Indian Missions/Posts abroad even issue advisories urging Indian nationals to regularize their visa and residency status in their respective host countries.
Although no authoritative figures exist on the exact number of undocumented Indian immigrants in the US, the US Department of Homeland Security, as part of its regular operations, deports foreign nationals who cannot establish a legal basis to remain in the country.
“As per US government data, a total of 519 Indian nationals were deported to India between November 2023 and October 2024. Deportations are carried out by the US government through commercial and chartered flights. As part of India-US cooperation on migration and mobility, both sides are engaged in a process to deter illegal migration, including human smuggling, and create more avenues for legal mobility from India to the US,” Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh informed Lok Sabha on November 29, 2024.
While opposition parties continue to demand discussions on the recent deportations, the government maintains that its priority is the safety and well-being of Indian nationals worldwide. By reinforcing its commitment to curbing illegal immigration and ensuring smooth repatriation processes, the Indian government remains engaged in diplomatic efforts to safeguard its diaspora.