New Delhi / Ottawa: In 2025, Canada recorded an unprecedented number of removals of Indian nationals, highlighting growing enforcement measures by the Canadian authorities against non-compliant foreign nationals. According to a year-end release by the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), a total of 2,831 Indian nationals were removed from Canada in the first ten months of the year alone. This figure not only surpasses the removals in 2024, which stood at 1,997, but represents a dramatic rise from earlier years, such as 2019, when only 625 Indians were removed.

The trend reflects a broader tightening of immigration and asylum processes in Canada, as authorities increasingly target individuals who fail to comply with the country’s immigration regulations, as well as those involved in criminal activity or national security concerns.

Factors Behind the Spike in Removals

While the CBSA did not provide a precise explanation for the sharp rise in the number of Indians removed, the category of non-compliance related to refugee claims accounted for the largest share. Out of 18,785 total removals in 2025, 15,605 cases were linked to refugee claim non-compliance, demonstrating that many individuals were removed due to failing to meet the requirements of Canada’s asylum and refugee programs. Indians also formed a substantial portion of asylum seekers in Canada, which partly explains their high representation among removals.

In addition to refugee-related removals, the CBSA reported that 841 individuals were removed due to serious inadmissibility issues, including national security concerns, involvement in organized crime, human rights violations, and criminality. Among these cases, at least five Indians were removed due to connections with extortion-related violence. The rise in removals can thus be attributed to both administrative non-compliance and enforcement against criminal activity.

Indians Lead ‘Removals in Progress’ Category

In addition to the completed removals, Indians also topped the “removal in progress” category, with 6,515 out of 29,542 individuals awaiting deportation. This reflects ongoing enforcement operations where individuals are identified and processed for removal but have not yet been physically deported. The high number indicates continued monitoring and targeted action against Indian nationals in Canada who are considered non-compliant or inadmissible.

Despite Indians leading the removals in absolute numbers, the largest overall group of enforced removals came from Mexico, with 3,972 removals in 2025, slightly up from 3,683 in 2024. The overall upward trend in removals across all nationalities—from 17,357 in 2024 to 18,785 in 2025—demonstrates a systematic tightening of Canada’s immigration enforcement mechanisms.

Law Enforcement and Cross-Border Coordination

The CBSA has been working closely with law enforcement agencies and international partners to facilitate removals. Liaison officers stationed worldwide intervened in 5,889 cases, recommending that airlines not allow certain passengers to board Canada-bound flights due to concerns over the validity of their travel documents. These proactive measures aim to prevent non-compliant or inadmissible individuals from entering Canada in the first place, thereby streamlining enforcement.

In cases involving criminality, Canadian law enforcement agencies have coordinated with the CBSA to ensure expedited removal. For example, in October 2025, the Peel Regional Police (PRP) announced that they were working closely with the Peel Crown Attorney’s Office and the CBSA to explore the removal of foreign nationals involved in criminal activity. This announcement was made in connection with the arrest of eight men in relation to the theft of 450 pieces of mail valued at over 400,000 Canadian dollars, highlighting the government’s focus on removing individuals posing a threat to public safety.

The arrested individuals—identified as Sumanpreet Singh, Gurdeep Chattha, Jashandeep Jattana, Harman Singh, Jasanpreet Singh, Manroop Singh, Rajbir Singh, and Upinderjit Singh—face a combined total of 344 charges, and the CBSA has indicated that removal procedures may be pursued as part of the judicial process. Such measures reflect the Canadian government’s approach of combining law enforcement action with immigration enforcement to maintain public security.

Policy Changes and Rising Costs for Re-entry

In addition to enforcement, Canada has tightened the financial framework for individuals seeking to return after removal. In January 2025, the Canadian government announced a significant increase in fees for removed persons wishing to return. The new cost recovery framework raised the fees for escorted removals from approximately 1,500 Canadian dollars to over 12,800 Canadian dollars, and for unescorted removals to just over 3,800 Canadian dollars, regardless of the destination.

The CBSA clarified that individuals removed from Canada are required to cover their travel costs, and in cases where they are unable or unwilling, the Canadian government bears the cost initially but seeks reimbursement upon re-entry requests. This policy effectively discourages repeat non-compliance while ensuring that removals are completed efficiently.

Political Context and Anti-Immigrant Sentiment

The record removals of Indian nationals in 2025 also reflect a broader political and social context in Canada. Anti-immigrant sentiment has been rising, particularly regarding the enforcement of laws against foreign nationals involved in crime or non-compliance with immigration regulations. In October 2025, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carneyresponded to questions regarding the government’s focus on deporting foreign criminals, confirming that the administration planned to accelerate removals, allocate better resources, and improve tracking. He described the measures as part of a broader set of reforms aimed at strengthening Canada’s immigration system.

While removal does not permanently bar an individual from re-entering Canada, the combination of stricter fees and administrative hurdles now makes it more expensive and difficult for removed persons to return. This applies to Indians as well, reinforcing the message that compliance with immigration regulations is crucial for anyone intending to live, work, or seek asylum in Canada.

Historical Comparison

The rise in removals represents a significant departure from past years. In 2019, only 625 Indians were removed, compared with nearly 2,000 in 2024 and over 2,800 in 2025. This trend highlights both the increasing scrutiny of Indian nationals and a broader effort by the Canadian authorities to enforce immigration and refugee laws more rigorously. The high numbers also suggest that Indians form a large portion of non-compliant or asylum-seeking migrants in the country, which has put them at the forefront of removal operations.

Conclusion

Canada’s record removal of Indian nationals in 2025 underscores a tougher enforcement approach by the CBSA, combining administrative scrutiny with criminal law enforcement. Factors contributing to these removals include non-compliance with refugee claims, criminal activity, national security concerns, and broader immigration irregularities. With India also leading the ‘removals in progress’ category, the data indicates continued monitoring and enforcement measures in the coming year.

Coupled with new cost frameworks and political emphasis on expedited deportation, the policy environment for Indians in Canada has become significantly more challenging. While removal does not permanently prohibit re-entry, the heightened enforcement, rising fees, and tighter scrutiny signal a shift toward stricter immigration compliance, making it imperative for potential migrants and asylum seekers to ensure full adherence to Canadian law.

As Canada continues to balance humanitarian asylum programs with public safety concerns, the Indian diaspora, particularly those seeking refuge or overstaying visas, faces a new era of rigorous enforcement.