3,155 Indian Nationals Deported From US This Year As Of Nov 21: Govt Tells Parl
New Delhi: The government informed Parliament on Friday; As of November 21, as many as 3,155 Indian citizens have been deported from the United States in 2025. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh also said in a written reply to a question that all deportations were subject to “explicit verification” of Indian nationals.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) was asked whether it was true that many Indians who entered via the “donkey route” had been deported from the US recently and, if so, the number of people deported to India by the US government in the last three years.
The phrase “donkey route” largely refers to the route used for illegal immigration in the North American context.
“The US government generally deports individuals who are found to have (i) entered the US illegally, (ii) expired visa, (iii) live in the US without any documentation, or (iv) have criminal convictions against them. The Government of India works in close coordination with the US government in these deportation operations,” Singh said. he said.
In his answer, he also shared the number of Indian citizens deported from the US to India in the last three years.
According to the data shared in tabular form, the number of Indian nationals deported from the USA as of November 21, 2025 was 3,155.
In 2024, this number was 1,368 and in 2023 it was 617.
“Data on recording cases of human trafficking, including ‘donkey route’, to other countries is not maintained by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Most foreign countries do not share details of Indian deportees,” the MoS said in response to a separate query. he said.
In another query, the MEA was asked about the number of Indian workers imprisoned and languishing in jails in Kuwait and other countries.
“According to data shared by Kuwaiti authorities (as of 31.10.2025), there are a total of 316 Indian prisoners in prisons in Kuwait,” Singh said.
In a separate query, the Ministry was also asked for state-wise details about Hajj pilgrims from India who set out for Hajj under the Indian Hajj Committee in the last few years.
Singh shared annual tabulated data showing that 1,39,964 Hajj pilgrims from different parts of India set out for Hajj in 2024; and 1,39,429 in 2023; and 56,634 in 2022.
In a separate query, the MEA was asked about the number of new diplomatic missions and consulates proposed to be opened in the financial year 2025-26 and their geographical distribution.
“One new Mission opened in Quito (Ecuador) in Fiscal Year 2025 and four new Consulates opened in Boston (USA), Los Angeles (USA), Kazan (Russia) and Yekaterinburg (Russia),” Singh said.
“The Ministry of External Affairs is preparing proposals from time to time to open resident Missions in countries where Indian Missions are not present. It is also setting up new consulates to improve coverage and provide better services.” he added.
The government’s broad foreign policy vision is to maximize India’s presence abroad in the most optimal manner.
“The aim of our foreign policy is also to create an enabling environment for India’s growth and development through partnerships with friendly countries,” he said.
Countries for opening Resident Indian Missions are being identified on the basis of “potential to deepen strategic cooperation; strong potential for bilateral trade and investment; strong diaspora presence; bolstering political support in multilateral forums and signaling India’s commitment to enhancing diplomatic relations with important countries/regions etc.”
“Opening of Missions and Consulates abroad is determined based on India’s overall strategic interest within its available financial and human resources,” the MoS said. he said.
