Canada Deports 3,323 Indians in First Half of 2026

The removals, which took place between January and June, were driven primarily by visa overstays and rejected asylum applications, according to immigration data. The figure is close to the 3,500 Indians deported in the entire previous year, indicating a sharp acceleration in enforcement.

Immigration lawyers and community groups attribute the increase to stricter border controls and a backlog of asylum claims processed after the pandemic. Many of those removed had been living in Canada for years, working or studying, before their status expired.

The deportations have raised concerns among Indian diaspora organizations, which say families are being separated and that some returnees face economic hardship. The Canadian government has defended the policy, stating it is committed to upholding immigration laws.

For India, the returnees add to the challenge of reintegrating citizens who have spent significant time abroad. The Indian government has not issued an official statement, but officials have previously discussed the issue with Canadian counterparts.

The trend is expected to continue in the second half of the year, with more removal orders pending. Meanwhile, Indian students and workers are being advised to ensure their visas are valid and to seek legal help if they face deportation.