Deportation policies and practices in the United States have varied across different administrations, impacting Indian nationals residing illegally in the country. Here’s an overview of deportations of Indian nationals during the Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations:
George W. Bush Administration (2001-2009): During President Bush’s tenure, approximately 2 million individuals were deported from the U.S. Specific data on Indian nationals deported during this period is not readily available.
Barack Obama Administration (2009-2017): President Obama oversaw about 3.2 million deportations. While the overall deportation numbers were high, the deportation of Indian nationals remained relatively low during this period.
Donald Trump Administration (2017-2021): Under President Trump, there was a notable increase in the deportation of Indian nationals. In 2017, approximately 570 Indians were deported, followed by 790 in 2018, and 550 in the first half of 2019. On average, about 1,550 Indian nationals were deported annually during Trump’s first term.
Joe Biden Administration (2021-Present): The Biden administration has continued deportation efforts, with a focus on recent border crossers and individuals posing security threats. From fiscal year 2021 through February 2024, approximately 1.1 million deportations were carried out, on pace to match the 1.5 million deportations during the four years of the Trump administration. Specific figures for Indian nationals during this period are not specified.
According to CNN In February 2025, a significant event occurred when the U.S. deported 104 Indian nationals on a military aircraft, marking a notable instance of mass deportation.
Overall, while the Obama administration had higher total deportation numbers, the deportation of Indian nationals was minimal during that time. In contrast, deportations of Indians peaked during Trump’s first term, with numbers surpassing those of Chinese nationals.
It’s important to note that deportation policies and practices are influenced by various factors, including immigration enforcement priorities, bilateral relations, and the broader geopolitical context.