NEW DELHI: A total of 28 Indian students were deported from the United States this year, this was disclosed by the government in the Lok Sabha on Friday. V Muraleedharan, the minister of state for external affairs, conveyed that the Indian government has consistently raised concerns with US authorities regarding such incidents.
The minister, responding to a query, stated, "According to information available with the ministry, 28 Indian students were deported from the US to India in 2023." He emphasised the government's ongoing efforts to communicate concerns to US authorities and urged them to ensure fairness in the treatment of Indian students possessing valid student visas.
In a separate response to another question, Muraleedharan acknowledged that Indian nationals, including students, are facing deportation from Canada also due to alleged submission of fraudulent letters of admission to Canadian academic institutions.
He revealed that these students were often sent by unscrupulous agents in India, prompting the government to collaborate with the government of Punjab to identify and prosecute the entities involved in these cases.
Highlighting proactive measures, the minister affirmed that the Indian government engaged with Canadian authorities to facilitate the legal stay of affected individuals in accordance with local laws. The emphasis was placed on fairness and a humanitarian approach, considering that the students were not culpable.
"As a result of these efforts, some affected Indian nationals received stay orders on their deportation notices or temporary resident visas," Muraleedharan added. He further emphasized that ongoing diplomatic channels are being utilized to address the matter with Canada and ensure a comprehensive resolution to the issue.