In the past 15 years, more than 15,000 Indian nationals have been deported from the United States, according to recent reports. Among the deportees, over 100 were illegal Indian immigrants sent back to India. This revelation has sparked political debate in India, with opposition parties questioning the government’s handling of the issue.
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the matter on Thursday, stating that such deportations are not new. He revealed that since 2009, a total of 15,756 Indian immigrants have been deported from the U.S.
Jaishankar clarified that these deportations are part of a longstanding U.S. policy that affects illegal immigrants from all countries, not just India. He emphasized the need to tackle illegal immigration and reassured the public that ongoing discussions with U.S. authorities aim to ensure the fair treatment of deported individuals.
According to Indian media, 2019 saw the highest number of deportations, with 2,042 individuals sent back, followed by 1,889 deportations in 2020.
