“According to information available with the Ministry, 28 Indian students were deported from USA to India in 2023. State-wise data regarding Indian students deported from USA is not available,” he said. The data was revealed in response to questions raised by Pratima Mondal and Prof. Sougata Ray, members of Trinamool Congress.

He also added that the Indian government has expressed concerns to the US authorities regarding such instances and requested them to ensure fairness with regard to entry of Indian students who hold valid student visas. “Whenever such issues/instances come to the attention of our Embassy/Consulates in USA, they also provide consular assistance to the Indian students,” he explained.

In his written response to the Lok Sabha, he also added that the Ministry and Indian Missions/Posts abroad regularly organises outreach programmes and issue advisories to sensitise Indian nationals including students about safe and legal migration and exercising caution about fraudulent agents and fake job offers. Complaints about fraudulent agents and illegal migration are referred to the respective State Governments for investigation and holding the perpetrators accountable.

The US is increasingly becoming a hotspot for Indian students who wish to pursue higher education from abroad. According to the latest Open Doors Report released in November, the number of Indians pursuing postgraduate studies in the United States (US) increased 63 per cent to 1.65 lakh in academic year 2022-23 — surpassing China for the first time in 15 years to become the largest source of international graduate students in America. Additionally, 2.68 lakh Indian students were studying in the US last year at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including those enrolled in Optional Practical Training programmes.

Recently, it was also reported that the US issued more than 1,40,000 visas to Indian students last year and is taking several steps to reduce visa appointment wait period.