The number of Indians facing deportation from the United States has increased sharply, with 801 Indian nationals receiving removal orders in June 2026, according to the latest data compiled by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC). Although the figure is slightly lower than May’s total, overall deportation proceedings across the United States have accelerated significantly, reflecting stricter immigration enforcement.
At the same time, Indian authorities have begun taking action against some deportees upon their return. In one recent case, a man from Gujarat was arrested at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport after investigators found he had allegedly travelled using a fake Indian passport.
US Immigration Enforcement Sees Major Increase
According to TRAC data, immigration courts across the United States issued 801 removal orders against Indian nationals in June 2026, compared with 840 orders in May.
While the number involving Indians fell slightly month-on-month, the overall pace of deportation orders across the US increased dramatically.
In May, US immigration courts issued 58,339 removal orders. That number jumped to 78,882 in June, representing an increase of nearly 30% in just one month. The sharp rise indicates that immigration courts are disposing of cases much faster as enforcement efforts continue to intensify.
The figures are based on records obtained by TRAC under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) from the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), the agency within the US Department of Justice that manages immigration courts.
What Does a Removal Order Mean?
A removal order is one of the most serious actions taken in an immigration case. However, it does not always mean immediate deportation, as some individuals may still have the right to appeal or pursue other legal remedies.
These proceedings are civil—not criminal—and are generally initiated by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through agencies such as:
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
The process usually begins with a Notice to Appear, after which an immigration judge decides whether the individual can legally remain in the United States or must leave the country.
Indians Among Countries Facing Removal Orders
Many Indians affected by these proceedings are believed to come from Gujarat and Punjab, two states that have long seen significant migration to the United States.
Although India’s total remains far below that of several Latin American countries, it is the only Asian nation to record such a substantial number of removal orders during June.
Although India recorded 801 removal orders in June 2026, the figure remains significantly lower than those of several Latin American countries.
Mexico topped the list with 15,773 removal orders, followed by Venezuela (10,939), Honduras (9,686), and Guatemala (8,340).
India was the only Asian country to register such a notable number of removal orders during the month. The figures indicate that US immigration authorities are intensifying enforcement across multiple nationalities, while immigration courts continue to clear pending cases at a much faster pace than before.
The data suggests that US immigration authorities are increasing enforcement across multiple nationalities while immigration courts continue clearing pending cases at a faster pace.
Deportation Does Not Always End Legal Troubles
Returning to India after deportation does not necessarily mark the end of legal proceedings.
Authorities say that if a deportee is found to have used forged or fraudulently obtained travel documents, they may face criminal investigation and prosecution in India. One such case recently came to light at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Gujarat Man Arrested at Delhi Airport
The latest case involves a 51-year-old man from Mehsana, Gujarat, who was arrested by immigration authorities after arriving in Delhi following deportation from the United States.
According to officials, the man had left India in March 2011 but had never surrendered or returned his original Indian passport after leaving the country.
Investigators allege that although he was later allowed to travel on an Emergency Certificate issued by the Indian Embassy in Washington, he instead travelled using an Indian passport that actually belonged to another individual.
Fake Passport Detected During Immigration Check
When the passenger landed in Delhi on June 28, immigration officials reportedly noticed several irregularities while checking his passport. Authorities observed differences in:
The colour of the biodata page
The font used in the passport
The passport number
An improper “ghost image”
Further database verification reportedly showed that the passport number belonged to another Indian citizen and had already been reported as lost.
Officials also found that the passport in the deportee’s possession had been issued in Ahmedabad in 2018, even though government records showed that he had never re-entered India after leaving in 2011.
Forensic Examination Confirmed Forgery
A forensic examination later identified multiple differences in the passport’s ultraviolet security features. Based on these findings, investigators concluded that the passport was fake.
Officials also stated that although the deportee had been issued an Emergency Certificate for his return to India, he did not physically possess that document at the time of arrival.
Instead, immigration officers initially granted him clearance based on the embassy-issued records. However, further verification with airline records allegedly revealed that he had actually boarded the flight using the forged Indian passport.
Stricter Enforcement Continues
The latest figures highlight the growing pace of immigration enforcement in the United States, where courts are processing deportation cases more quickly than before.
For Indian nationals, particularly those involved in immigration violations or fraudulent documentation, deportation may not be the final step. Indian authorities have indicated that those returning with forged or fake travel documents could face separate criminal investigations and legal action after arriving home.
The combination of stricter US immigration enforcement and closer scrutiny by Indian agencies signals increasing cooperation in addressing immigration-related fraud and ensuring the integrity of international travel documents.
Also Read: 7 Years In The US? New Bill Could Open Green Card Path For Indian H-1B Visa Holders https://www.vibesofindia.com/us-immigration-bill-green-card-pathway-indian-h1b-workers/
