The Indian government has revealed that over 3,800 Indian nationals were deported from the United States in 2025, highlighting a significant uptick in repatriations amid stricter immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. The figures were shared in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on Thursday (February 5, 2026), in response to a question from Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala regarding irregular migration, deportations over the past five years, and measures to curb the illegal "Dunki route."
According to the data presented by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the total deportations from the US reached more than 3,800 for the year, with 3,414 Indians deported through Washington alone up to mid-December 2025. This number marks one of the highest annual figures in recent years, attributed to intensified crackdowns on undocumented migrants, visa overstays, and irregular entries.
The term "Dunki route" (also known as the "donkey route") refers to perilous irregular migration paths often involving multiple countries, treacherous land crossings, and smuggling networks—popularized in public discourse following the 2023 film *Dunki*—used by many aspiring migrants to reach North America, particularly the US border via Central America.
In its response, the government flagged ongoing efforts to crack down on such illegal migration channels. It emphasized preventive measures, including closer coordination with state governments, registration and monitoring of travel agencies, awareness campaigns to warn vulnerable youth against fraudulent agents, and enhanced border management to disrupt smuggling operations. The MEA noted that the government is in constant dialogue with the US authorities to ensure the "humane treatment" of deported Indian nationals during repatriation flights and processes.
For context, Saudi Arabia recorded the highest number of Indian deportations in 2025 (over 11,000 in some reports, with figures from Riyadh and Jeddah consulates), followed by other Gulf countries. In contrast, the US figure of over 3,800—while lower than West Asian nations—represents a notable rise and the highest in the last five years from that destination, driven by stricter document scrutiny, work authorization checks, and border enforcement.
The disclosures come as part of broader parliamentary discussions on protecting Indian citizens from exploitation by unscrupulous agents promising quick overseas opportunities, often at exorbitant costs and high risks. Experts point to economic pressures, unemployment in certain regions (such as Punjab and Haryana), and social media-fueled aspirations as key drivers behind the surge in attempts via irregular routes.
The government reiterated its commitment to reducing such migration through targeted interventions, though no specific timelines or numerical targets for curbing the "Dunki route" were outlined in the reply. Families of many deportees have recounted harrowing experiences of being duped, facing extortion, and enduring dangerous journeys before eventual repatriation.
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