By Kavita Mistry 
The number of Indian nationals forcibly removed from Canada has surged sharply this year, nearing 1,900 cases by July 2025 — already higher than the 1,997 removals recorded throughout 2024. India now ranks second only to Mexico, whose nationals account for 2,678 removals so far this year.
In contrast, just 625 Indians were deported in 2019, marking a threefold increase in five years. The trend signals an ongoing tightening of Canada’s immigration enforcement amid a broader overhaul of its migration policies.
Carney Government’s Focus on Faster Deportations
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently confirmed that his government is prioritizing the deportation of foreign nationals involved in criminal activity. Responding to media questions in Toronto, Carney stated that his administration aims to “make it faster, with better resources and tracking,” as part of comprehensive immigration reforms.
The policy also affects asylum seekers and temporary permit holders, groups that now face increased scrutiny.
Anti-Immigration Sentiment Growing
The sharp increase in removals coincides with rising anti-immigration sentiment across Canada, particularly in major cities such as Toronto and Brampton, which have significant Indian-origin populations.
On October 10, Peel Regional Police (PRP) announced that it was collaborating with the Crown Attorney’s Office and the CBSA to evaluate the removal of accused foreign nationals as part of judicial proceedings.
This announcement followed the arrest of eight Indian-origin men accused of stealing 450 pieces of mail worth over CA$400,000 — highlighting law enforcement’s growing coordination with immigration authorities.
Indians Lead in Pending Deportation Inventory
Indians also top the CBSA’s “inventory of removals in progress,” with 6,837 pending cases, followed by 5,170 Mexicans and 1,734 Americans. Out of 30,733 total pending deportations, over 27,000 involve refugee claimants, and Indians form the largest group among them.
This marks a worrying trend for Indian asylum seekers in Canada, who now face both longer backlogs and stricter enforcement measures.