Canada has seen a significant rise in the number of Indian nationals removed under immigration enforcement in 2025, according to government data. So far this year, 2,831 Indian citizens have been deportedmarking the highest figure on record and a sharp increase compared with previous years. This trend has captured the attention of immigrant communities and policymakers alike.
Sharp Year-on-Year Increase
The latest figures show that deportations of Indian nationals in 2025 are substantially higher than in 2024 and earlier years. In 2024, fewer Indians were removed, and back in 2019 the number was far lower still. The growing numbers reflect both changes in migration patterns and stepped-up enforcement efforts by Canadian authorities.
Officials say that these removals occur when individuals are found to be in violation of Canada’s immigration laws. This can include people whose refugee claims were rejected, those who overstayed their visa conditions, or individuals deemed inadmissible under the country’s immigration rules.
What ‘Removal’ Means
A removal in this context is an enforced deportation carried out by the Canadian Border Services Agency, which regularly publishes data on its enforcement outcomes. A removal is different from voluntary departure: it signifies that the individual has been formally required to leave the country due to a breach of immigration regulations.
Beyond the 2,831 Indian nationals removed, the data indicates that Indians make up a significant share of ongoing removal cases. Thousands more individuals are currently in various stages of the removal process, including appeals, stay applications, and court proceedings.
Factors Behind the Rising Figures
While the data does not break down every individual case, immigration experts point to a combination of stricter enforcement policies and heightened scrutiny of visa and asylum applications in recent years. Canada has expanded its border and immigration compliance operations, focusing more on irregular arrivals, non-compliant students and workers, and failed refugee claims.
These broader enforcement measures affect applicants from a variety of countries, but the Indian community—one of the largest immigrant groups in Canada—is among those most impacted.
Impact on the Indian Community
The rising removals have drawn concern from members of the Indian diaspora, student groups, and some diplomatic observers. Many Indians live, study, or work in Canada legally, but the statistics underscore the importance of following complex immigration rules and maintaining compliance.
As the deportation numbers continue to grow, calls for better guidance, legal support, and clearer pathways to legalisation have intensified within community circles.
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