Deportation discrepancy: 2,831 Indians sent back between Jan-Oct, says Canada; 188, says MEA

Canada’s border agency says 2,831 Indians were removed in 2025, but India’s MEA reports only 188 deportations from Canada. (File Photo)

A wide gap has emerged between official figures from Ottawa and New Delhi on the number of Indian nationals removed from Canada in 2025, pointing to differences in how the two countries define and track deportations.

According to data released by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), 2,831 Indian nationals were removed from the country between January and October 2025. This placed India among the top countries of citizenship for removals, second only to Mexico, which recorded 3,972 removals. Overall, Canada carried out between 18,785 and 18,969 removals across all nationalities during the same period.

The CBSA categorises these figures as “enforced removals”, a term that covers all cases where a removal order is executed. This includes confirmed departures from Canada, confirmations of departures made overseas, and administrative removals involving individuals who self-deport after providing proof of exit. Data show that the vast majority of removals—about 92 per cent—were completed without escort, indicating that individuals left voluntarily after receiving a removal order. Only around 8 per cent of cases involved CBSA escorts, typically in situations assessed as higher risk.

In contrast, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated in Parliament that only 188 Indian nationals were deported from Canada in 2025. The figure forms part of a global tally of more than 24,600 Indians deported worldwide during the year, with significantly higher numbers reported from countries such as Saudi Arabia.

Neither the CBSA nor Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has issued a statement addressing the Indian figures or explaining the discrepancy. Immigration experts, however, point to definitional differences as the likely reason. While Canada’s removal data include voluntary departures following a legally enforceable order, receiving countries often count only forced, escorted deportations, where individuals are physically returned under official supervision.

The increase in removals of Indian nationals also mirrors broader trends in Canadian immigration enforcement in 2025, including higher rejection rates for asylum claims from India and closer scrutiny of temporary residents as part of efforts to rein in overall immigration numbers. CBSA data indicate that removals of Indian nationals rose by about 41 per cent compared to the previous year.

The CBSA maintains that removals are prioritised based on risk factors such as criminality and non-compliance, and that most individuals comply with removal orders voluntarily. Final, full-year statistics for 2025 are expected to be released in 2026.