(USA) Indian nationals facing deportation from the United States 🇺🇸 in 2025 have seen a sharp increase in removals and a heavy operational focus on group flights. Between 20 January and 22 July 2025, the U.S. Government deported 1,703 Indian nationals to India, including 1,562 men and 141 women, according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Those removals relied on several modes: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (military) flights, charter flights run by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) charter flights, and commercial flights from both the USA and Panama. The MEA says it has remained engaged with the U.S. side throughout these operations, pressing for humane treatment, including clear concerns about shackling practices, treatment of women and children, and respect for religious and dietary needs.

Deportation Journey Overview: From U.S. Custody to Arrival in India

The recent deportations of Indian nationals from the USA moved through five distinct pathways. Understanding the mode can help families and students know what to expect and how quickly return may occur.

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (military) flights
  • Dates: February 5, 15, and 16
  • Total removed on these flights: 333
  • Notes: Grouped transfers with fixed departure windows.
• ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations charter flights
  • Dates: March 19, June 8, and June 25
  • Total removed on these flights: 231
  • Notes: Batch removals after clearances are in place.
• DHS charter flights
  • Dates: July 5 and July 18
  • Total removed on these flights: 300
  • Notes: Group flights with fixed dates.
• Commercial flights from Panama
  • Total: 72
  • Notes: Individuals or small groups traveling “as and when their flight tickets were arranged.”
• Commercial flights from the USA
  • Total: 767 — the largest single category
  • Notes: Individual or small-group arrangements once tickets and escorts were scheduled.

Each pathway involves coordination among U.S. authorities and Indian officials for identity confirmation and safe arrival. The MEA reports it formally raised treatment issues with the U.S. side—especially about shackling women and children, treating turbans respectfully, and honoring dietary preferences. The Ministry notes that it has “not received any complaint pertaining to treatment of deportees on any flight after February 5, 2025,” suggesting earlier complaints were at least partly addressed.

Step-by-Step: What Typically Happens During Removal Operations

While individual experiences vary, the official record outlines a common sequence that Indian nationals and families can expect:

1) Identification for removal and travel mode assignment
– Placement on either group charters (CBP military, ICE ERO, or DHS) or on commercial flights.
– Group charters have fixed dates; commercial flights are scheduled individually.

2) Pre-departure coordination by authorities
– Indian authorities and U.S. counterparts confirm identity and travel documents.
– The MEA presses for humane handling (limiting shackles, respecting religious/cultural practices).

3) The flight
– Group charter passengers travel together on the same date; commercial travelers depart singly or in small groups.
– The MEA flagged comfort and dignity concerns and reports no complaints after February 5.

4) Arrival in India
– Deportees disembark and proceed to their home states, with State/UT totals recorded by the MEA.

5) Post-arrival support where needed
– Indian Missions/Posts handle grievances on priority and provide consular support.
– Emergency medical help and boarding/lodging can be provided via the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) on a means-tested basis.

Where People Returned: State and Union Territory Patterns

The MEA’s State/UT breakdown highlights the highest returns to three regions, useful for families and local authorities planning support:

• Punjab: 620
• Haryana: 604
• Gujarat: 245

Other states (smaller numbers):

• Uttar Pradesh: 38
• Goa: 26
• Maharashtra: 20
• Delhi: 20
• Telangana: 19
• Tamil Nadu: 17
• Andhra Pradesh: 12
• Uttarakhand: 12
• Himachal Pradesh: 10
• Jammu & Kashmir: 10
• Kerala: 8
• Chandigarh: 8
• Madhya Pradesh: 7
• Rajasthan: 7
• West Bengal: 6
• Karnataka: 5
• Odisha: 1
• Bihar: 1
• Jharkhand: 1
• Unknown: 6

These figures total 1,703 deportees (20 Jan–22 Jul 2025). Analysis by VisaVerge.com notes that state-by-state data helps returning families and local authorities plan immediate support.

Treatment Standards and MEA Engagement With U.S. Authorities

The MEA states it “remains engaged with the U.S. side to ensure the humane treatment of deportees during deportation operations.” Key concerns raised include:

• Use of shackles, especially for women and children
• Religious and cultural sensitivities, for example, handling of turbans
• Dietary preferences and requests for respect during transit

The Ministry’s report of no further complaints after February 5 suggests that advocacy helped improve conditions on subsequent flights. Families can therefore reasonably expect respectful handling to continue. If problems arise, travelers should ask escorts to contact supervisors and notify Indian Missions.

Student Visas: Delays, Current Status, and What Students Should Do

During the same period, Indian students and families reported difficulties getting appointments for U.S. student and exchange visitor visas in the F, M, and J categories. The MEA raised these concerns with the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and the U.S. Department of State. The U.S. side provided updates:

• Additional security requirements reduced Embassy and Consulate capacity, causing appointment delays.
• Student visa appointments are now open.
• For J-1 physician applicants, a software-based prioritization was launched; some previously unable to find slots have now scheduled appointments.
• The U.S. Embassy is working to open a limited number of additional student visa appointments through the end of August to meet urgent pre–academic year needs.
• The Embassy is developing a student visa fact sheet with FAQs to reduce uncertainty.

The MEA emphasizes that visa issuance is the sovereign decision of the destination country, while noting it has “consistently raised” practical challenges students face. For students this implies: plan proactively for appointments, and expect the Indian Government to press for smoother processing during peak times.

Action plan for students seeking U.S. visas now

• Check appointment availability frequently and act fast when slots appear.
• J-1 physicians should use the prioritized scheduling pathway.
• Follow the Embassy’s upcoming student visa FAQ once published.
• If problems persist, contact Indian Missions/Posts — concerns are taken on priority via email, phone, walk-ins, social media, Open Houses, and 24×7 emergency helplines.
• For official updates, refer to the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India visas page.

How Indian Missions Monitor and Help: Real-Time Channels and Case Support

Indian Missions/Posts in the U.S. maintain regular contact with Indian students and have dedicated officers tracking education and student welfare. Students going abroad are encouraged to register on the MADAD Portal.

Channels used by Missions to handle grievances on priority:

• Telephone calls and walk-ins
• Email and social media
• 24×7 emergency helplines
• Open Houses
• The MADAD Portal

When a person is in distress (deportation, detention, medical issues, or lack of housing), Missions can provide consular assistance such as emergency medical care and boarding/lodging. The ICWF allows financial help on a means-tested basis for deserving cases, including students. If you or a family member is in crisis, contact Missions immediately for priority response.

Step-by-Step: If You’re Facing Deportation or Denial

A practical approach based on the MEA’s guidance:

1) Contact the nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate
– Use phone, email, or 24×7 emergency helplines.
– Share full name, passport number, location, and removal flight details if known.

2) Ask what help is available
– Explain needs: emergency medical support, safe accommodation, or essentials.
– Missions can extend boarding/lodging and medical care via ICWF in deserving cases.

3) Prepare for travel on group or commercial flights
– Group charters: note fixed date and follow official instructions.
– Commercial flights: departures occur individually or in small groups after ticketing/escort arrangements.

4) During travel
– Expect respectful treatment. If problems occur, request a supervisor and notify the nearest Indian Mission immediately.

5) After arrival in India
– Contact family and local support networks.
– Seek guidance on follow-up care or temporary support; ICWF assistance may be available.

6) For students with visa denial/delays
– Keep checking appointment openings and follow Embassy updates.
– J-1 physicians should use the prioritization pathway.

Timelines and What to Expect

Key dates and windows from MEA data:

• Overall window: January 20 to July 22, 2025
• CBP (military) flights: February 5, 15, 16
• ICE ERO charters: March 19, June 8, June 25
• DHS charters: July 5, July 18
• Commercial flights: Ongoing based on individual ticketing from the USA and Panama

On student visas, the U.S. Embassy plans to release a limited number of additional appointments through the end of August, and a student visa fact sheet with FAQs is being prepared.

Human Focus: Practical Scenarios

• Student unable to find slots for weeks: Appointments are now open and a limited release is planned through August. Set alerts and check daily; J-1 physicians have a prioritized pathway.
• Family member scheduled on a commercial flight: These depart individually or in small groups “as and when” tickets are arranged. Confirm itinerary with the nearest Indian Mission and ask about emergency support.
• Woman worried about restraints and cultural sensitivities: The MEA raised concerns about shackling, turbans, and dietary needs. It reports no new complaints after February 5. If issues arise, request a supervisor and inform an Indian Mission.
• Returnee landing in Punjab, Haryana, or Gujarat: These states saw the highest returns—620, 604, and 245 respectively. Local support groups and families should prepare for more arrivals and plan short-term assistance.

India–U.S. Coordination: Mobility and Student Support

The Government of India says it remains engaged with the U.S. to promote “mutually advantageous and secure mobility frameworks” that streamline legal mobility for students and professionals and support tourist and business travel.

Actions taken in 2025 reflect this engagement: escalation to the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and the U.S. State Department led to opening appointments, triaging J-1 physicians, and planning an FAQ sheet. For students and families, two points matter most:

• Visa issuance is the destination country’s sovereign decision — documentation and timing require care.
• The MEA is pressing for better access and clearer guidance when bottlenecks appear.

Key Takeaways You Can Act On Today

• Deportations from the USA to India involved both group charters and commercial flights, totaling 1,703 people from January 20 to July 22, 2025.
• The MEA raised treatment concerns with the U.S. side and reports no new complaints after February 5, 2025.
• Student visa appointments are open; the U.S. Embassy plans limited additional student slots through end of August and is developing a student visa FAQ.
• Indian Missions/Posts respond to grievances on priority in near real time through phone, email, social media, walk-ins, Open Houses, and 24×7 emergency helplines.
• For those in distress, Missions can provide emergency medical care and boarding/lodging via ICWF on a means-tested basis.
• Students should register travel and details with official channels, monitor appointment openings, and use Mission support if problems persist.

For official student visa and appointment information, consult the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India visas page.