More than 3,800 Indian nationals were deported from the United States in 2025, the Centre informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, amid growing concerns over illegal migration and the use of the so-called “Dunki route”.
In a written reply to a question, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said that 3,414 Indians were deported via Washington alone till mid-December last year, with the overall figure crossing 3,800 for the year.
The information was shared in response to a query by Congress member Randeep Singh Surjewala, who sought details on deportations from the US and other countries over the past five years, measures to curb illegal migration, and steps to protect vulnerable youth from trafficking networks.
The data placed before the House also provided a consulate-wise break-up of deportations from the US in 2025. According to the table, 234 deportations were handled by the Indian Consulate in Houston, followed by San Francisco (49), New York (47), Seattle (31) and Atlanta (31).
Singh told Parliament that the Government of India works closely with the US and other foreign governments on all matters related to deportation of Indian nationals. “Such deportations are subject to an unambiguous verification of their Indian nationality,” the minister said.
Also read: India in talks with US on treatment of deportees: Jaishankar
He added that India has repeatedly flagged concerns over the treatment of deportees. “We have registered our concerns with the US authorities, particularly with respect to use of restraints on the deportees, especially women and children,” Singh said, underlining the government’s emphasis on humane procedures.
The minister said testimonies of returning deportees had led to multiple cases being registered across states against illegal recruitment agents, criminal facilitators and human trafficking syndicates. Investigations and legal action against such networks are currently underway, he added.
Referring to preventive mechanisms, Singh said the government accords priority to the safety and welfare of Indians seeking employment abroad. Under the Emigration Act, 1983, no individual or agency can operate as a recruiting agent without a valid licence issued by the Protector General of Emigrants.
He said mandatory registration of recruiting agents is aimed at curbing fraud and exploitation of prospective migrants. Emigration clearance is also compulsory for Emigration Check Required passport holders travelling to 19 notified countries for employment.
The ministry, Singh said, regularly issues advisories through the eMigrate portal, social media platforms and other outreach mechanisms to warn against fake job rackets and unsafe migration routes. Till December 2025, a total of 3,505 unregistered agents had been flagged on the eMigrate portal.
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