Canada is on track to record a historic high in the forced removal of Indian nationals — with 1,891 removals by July 28, 2025, according to data from the (CBSA) — surpassing previous years and following a steady upward trend since 2019.
In 2019, Canada removed just 625 Indian nationals, less than a third of last year’s figure. In 2024, the number stood at 1,997, trailing only nationals of Mexico and far ahead of the third-largest group (Colombia). India now sits firmly in second place among countries whose citizens are subject to removal, ahead of Mexico (2,678) through July 28.
Why are Indians being removed in large numbers?
- The federal government, under ’s leadership, has made deportation of foreign nationals convicted of crimes a stated priority. Carney said the system will be made faster and better resourced as part of broader immigration reforms.
- Local law-enforcement agencies are increasingly cooperating with CBSA and prosecutors to seek removal of foreign nationals involved in criminal cases, as illustrated by Peel Regional Police’s statement in early October about coordinating to remove accused non-citizens after alleged offences such as large-scale mail theft.
- Indians currently top the “inventory of removals in progress,” with 6,837 people, followed by Mexicans (5,170) and U.S. citizens (1,734). Of the total inventory of 30,733 cases, 27,103 are refugee-claimants — with Indians forming the largest group among asylum seekers.
India is now the largest national cohort among those listed in removal proceedings, and their numbers continue to grow.
The large numbers reflect a convergence of factors: increasing asylum claims from India, stricter federal policy on removal of non-citizens involved in crime, and an enforcement pipeline that has accelerated in recent years.
