Indian detentions in US climb since FY21, surging in low-immigrant cities

By: Shantanu Bhattacharji

The fallout is widening, with Indian consulates handling cases in cities like Buffalo and Seattle, as rising detentions fuel fear in Punjab and Gujarat, where fake agents peddle false promises of easy US entry.

It started with a short phone video: an Indian student in handcuffs at Newark Airport, looking confused as officers stood around him. The clip spread quickly online, sparking anger and concern. But this wasn’t just a one-off incident. It’s part of a growing trend—more Indian nationals are getting caught up in America’s stricter immigration system, often in places and situations no one saw coming.

The numbers tell the story. Since 2021, detentions of Indian nationals by US immigration authorities have grown sharply. While Indians made up just 0.8 per cent of total detentions in fiscal year 2021, their share rose to 4.2 per cent by 2025. Deportations nearly doubled during the same period, even though the actual number remains relatively small.

So, what’s driving this trend? For one, the routes have changed. A growing number of Indians are entering the US through land borders with Mexico and Canada. These journeys are often arranged through informal or unregistered agents, and they come with significant risk. As a result, detentions are spiking in unlikely places. Phoenix, Arizona—hardly a traditional Indian migration hub—has seen more than 13,000 Indian detentions over the past five years.

But the scrutiny doesn’t stop at the border. Indian students, who form the second-largest group of international students in the US, are also facing tougher visa checks. Many report extended interviews, repeat questioning, and—in some cases—detentions at ports of entry. This has grown more common since last year’s pro-Palestinian protests on American campuses, which drew political attention to foreign students.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) recently said that around 1,800 Indian nationals have been deported under the current US administration, including many on student, visitor, or transit visas. Though these numbers are modest in context, they mark a clear shift in enforcement.

What’s happening isn’t just about Indians. The US has taken a harder stance on immigration across the board. Recent policy moves—such as deploying the National Guard to manage protests over immigration enforcement and enacting travel restrictions on 12 countries—show a wider effort to assert control. But this broader crackdown is catching more Indians in its net.

The consequences are mounting on both sides. Indian consulates are being called to assist in cities like Buffalo and Seattle—locations not previously known for immigration cases involving Indian citizens. At home, the rise in detentions is fuelling fear and confusion, especially in states like Punjab and Gujarat, where many are misled by unlicensed agents who promise easy paths to the US.

The Newark incident was a flashpoint, but it reflects a deeper shift in how the US enforces immigration laws—and how Indian nationals are being affected by it. Whether students, workers, or travellers, more Indians now face a harsher and more unpredictable system.

Addressing this moment will require action on both sides. The Centre must crack down on misinformation from illegal agents and expand legal support for those caught abroad. The US, for its part, needs to ensure that security concerns don’t come at the cost of fairness for legitimate travellers.

The handcuffs at Newark may have gone viral. But behind the image lies a quiet trend that is reshaping the migration experience for thousands of Indians. The response, too, must be more than emotional. It must be practical—and fast.