Trump Announces 2 Million Deportations as Indian Green Cards Advance

(UNITED STATES) The Trump administration says it has reached 2 million deportations or self-deportations since January 2025, a sweeping enforcement milestone announced as the new fiscal year begins. At the same time, the U.S. Department of State’s October 2025 Visa Bulletin moved priority dates forward for employment-based green cards, giving Indian applicants in EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 categories fresh momentum after years of long waits. The dual track—faster removals on one side, faster processing for some skilled workers on the other—has drawn quick praise and sharp criticism, with business groups lauding progress on long-stalled Indian green cards and labor advocates warning of deep risks tied to mass removals.

Officials point to executive orders, visa revocations, and incentives for voluntary departures as key tools behind the removal totals. Yet the government has not released detailed public breakdowns by category or nationality, making independent verification difficult. Supporters frame the figure as proof of tougher enforcement after what they describe as prior lapses. Critics note that early independent data showed lower removal tallies than claimed and argue that publicity around “deportations” overstates the actual number of cases where the U.S. physically removed someone.

Visa Bulletin Moves for Indian Employment-Based Categories

The State Department’s October 2025 Visa Bulletin, arriving as the 2026 fiscal year opens, advances priority dates for Indian-born workers in EB-1 (priority workers), EB-2 (advanced degree professionals), and EB-3 (skilled workers and professionals). For many families stuck in long lines, the movement means they can finally file or complete green card steps that had been out of reach.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the forward movement marks one of the clearest openings for Indian applicants in recent years and could speed permanent residency decisions for thousands in technology, healthcare, and other high-demand fields.

The October advance is a rare bright spot for a group that has waited far too long.

How the Visa Bulletin Movement Helps Applicants (Practical Steps)

When an Indian applicant’s priority date becomes current in EB-1, EB-2, or EB-3, they can take concrete steps:

1. File for adjustment of status if inside the U.S. and eligible using Form I-485.
   • Official form page: Form I-485
2. Apply for a work permit with Form I-765 while the green card case is pending.
   • Official form page: Form I-765
3. Request a travel permit (Advance Parole) via Form I-131 to avoid abandoning a pending I-485.
   • Official form page: Form I-131
4. Applicants outside the U.S. proceed through consular processing with the National Visa Center and a U.S. consulate interview.

Practical notes and tips:
– Employers and law firms report rising inquiries from Indian candidates who have waited years for a filing window.
– Families gain immediate relief with the ability to file together and secure work permission for spouses.
– Applicants should prepare updated job offer letters, medical exams, and proof of maintenance of status where required.
– For official charts and monthly cutoffs, check the State Department’s Visa Bulletin at U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin.

Enforcement Scale, Targets, and Early Outcomes

The White House has set an annual goal of 1 million removals, seeking about 4 million over four years—a large increase from the roughly 300,000–330,000 deportations per year seen before 2025. DHS asked for more funding in FY 2026 to support the plan, and Republican leaders have pushed budget language aiming for at least one million annual removals.

Key operational points:
– Agencies say enforcement focuses on people with criminal convictions, but actions have also affected non-criminals, including people picked up at routine check-ins and workers in industries such as agriculture and hospitality.
– Operations have expanded into large cities run by Democrats, including Los Angeles and New York.
– New travel bans now cover 19 countries, and additional steps may slow consular processing.

Independent monitors reported lower numbers in early 2025 than the administration claimed. For example:
– TRAC estimated about 72,000 removals in the first 98 days, below the daily removal rate recorded under President Biden in FY 2024.
– ICE said it arrested over 66,000 people and removed more than 65,000 in the first 100 days of President Trump’s new term, emphasizing arrests of gang members and people with violent crime convictions.

The gap between official claims and outside counts has fueled questions on how many cases are formal deportations versus voluntary returns or self-departures prompted by pressure.

Economic and Social Impacts

Business groups worry about labor shortages in sectors that depend on immigrant workers. Experts note potential effects on:
– Construction
– Food service
– Child care
– Elder care

The American Immigration Council warns that the administration’s removal goals could undo job gains from the pandemic period. Supporting data:
– The immigrant population fell 2.6% to 51.9 million by June 2025—the first drop since the 1960s—indicating the combined impact of deportations and barriers to legal entry.

Critics also argue that travel bans and other restrictions push away students, workers, and families. One notable exception to tougher refugee actions: expedited resettlement for white South African farmers claiming racial persecution, a decision drawing attention to the political choices influencing who receives fast-track access.

The Administration’s Dual Message and Reactions

Administration aides say the twin approach—strict border and interior enforcement plus targeted steps to support high-skill labor—protects U.S. jobs while keeping the door open for talent companies say they need.

Counterarguments include:
– Economists and legal groups warn that large-scale removals can ripple through the labor market and cut into growth, even as some high-skill workers move forward.
– Skeptics say gains for some workers do not offset harm from mass removals across other parts of the economy and from tighter family and humanitarian paths.

The debate is likely to intensify as Congress weighs budget requests and holds oversight hearings tied to the enforcement drive.

What Employers and Families Should Do Now

Two practical steps matter for planning:

• Monitor monthly Visa Bulletin updates to see whether a priority date is current, especially for Indian EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 cases.
• If a filing window opens, act quickly and submit complete packages:
  • Form I-485 — Adjustment of Status
  • Form I-765 — Employment Authorization (if needed)
  • Form I-131 — Advance Parole (if planning international travel during adjudication)

VisaVerge.com reports that timely filing during open windows has helped many applicants avoid future retrogression.

What’s Next — Policy, Courts, and Capacity

The administration seeks the budget and logistics to keep removals near the new target, potentially requiring:
– More detention space
– Faster dockets
– Broader cooperation with local police
– Expanded workplace checks in sectors flagged for unauthorized hiring

The political stakes are high:
– Supporters argue strong deportations restore the rule of law and protect wages.
– Opponents say the approach is too blunt, risking mixed-status family fear, shrinking payrolls in key industries, and slowing growth.

The coming months will test these claims as FY 2026 unfolds, court challenges proceed, and new data becomes available.

Key Takeaways

The country is living with two concurrent realities: a reported 2 million removals since January 2025, and a long-awaited opening for Indian green cards as the new fiscal year begins.

• The immediate win: EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 for Indian applicants are moving forward, easing long waits for thousands.
• The ongoing risk: Large-scale removals and travel bans could have broader negative effects on families, employers, and economic growth.
• Action items: Watch the Visa Bulletin, prepare complete filing packages when eligible, and consult counsel or employer immigration teams to navigate filings and travel safely.