### Saudi Arabia Surpasses the US in Deportations of Indian Nationals in 2025 In a surprising turn of events, recent data from India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reveals that Saudi Arabia has emerged as the leading country for deportations of Indian nationals in 2025, surpassing the United States by a significant margin. While the US has been a focal point in discussions about immigration enforcement, the figures indicate that over **11,000 Indians** were deported from Saudi Arabia, compared to approximately **3,800 from the US**. This trend highlights the complexities of immigration issues, particularly in Gulf countries where many Indian workers face challenges related to visa and labor regulations. ### Breakdown of Deportation Trends and Insights 1. **Deportation Statistics**: - Saudi Arabia accounted for **over 11,000** deportations of Indian nationals in 2025, primarily due to visa and labor violations [https://www.etnownews.com/news/think-us-deported-most-indians-in-2025-think-again-new-mea-data-reveals-surprising-country-at-no-1-article-153358457]. - The total number of Indian deportations worldwide reached **over 24,600** across **81 countries** [https://www.siasat.com/saudi-arabia-deports-more-indians-than-us-in-2025-mea-3316927]. 2. **Comparative Analysis**: - The US deported **3,812 Indians**, with the majority coming from Washington DC (3,414) and Houston (234) [https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/more-indians-deported-from-saudi-arabia-than-us-in-2025-13744786.html]. - Other notable countries included the UAE (1,469), Malaysia (1,485), and Bahrain (764) [https://timesofislamabad.com/28-Dec-2025/over-25-000-indian-nationals-deported-worldwide-in-2025-saudi-leads]. 3. **Reasons for Deportations**: - The primary reasons for deportations from Saudi Arabia were violations of residency and labor regulations, rather than illegal border crossings [https://clarionindia.net/saudi-arabia-deported-more-indians-than-us-in-last-5-years-govt-data]. - Many deportees were low-skilled workers in sectors like construction and domestic services, often misled by recruitment agents regarding job conditions and visa validity [https://timesofislamabad.com/28-Dec-2025/over-25-000-indian-nationals-deported-worldwide-in-2025-saudi-leads]. ### Supporting Data and Evidence - **Deportation Figures**: - **Saudi Arabia**: 11,884 Indians (7,019 from Riyadh, 3,865 from Jeddah) [https://timesofislamabad.com/28-Dec-2025/over-25-000-indian-nationals-deported-worldwide-in-2025-saudi-leads]. - **United States**: 3,812 Indians [https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/more-indians-deported-from-saudi-arabia-than-us-in-2025-13744786.html]. - **UAE**: 1,469 Indians [https://timesofislamabad.com/28-Dec-2025/over-25-000-indian-nationals-deported-worldwide-in-2025-saudi-leads]. - **Malaysia**: 1,485 Indians [https://timesofislamabad.com/28-Dec-2025/over-25-000-indian-nationals-deported-worldwide-in-2025-saudi-leads]. - **Bahrain**: 764 Indians [https://timesofislamabad.com/28-Dec-2025/over-25-000-indian-nationals-deported-worldwide-in-2025-saudi-leads]. ### Conclusion: A Shift in Deportation Dynamics The data from 2025 indicates a significant shift in the landscape of deportations affecting Indian nationals, with **Saudi Arabia leading the charge**. This trend underscores the need for greater awareness among Indian workers regarding the legal requirements and risks associated with employment in foreign countries. 1. **Saudi Arabia's Dominance**: The country has become the top destination for deportations, reflecting stringent enforcement of labor laws. 2. **US Figures**: Despite heightened scrutiny in the US, the numbers remain significantly lower than those from Gulf nations. 3. **Global Context**: The deportation figures highlight the complexities of migration management and the challenges faced by low-skilled workers abroad. As immigration policies continue to evolve, these insights serve as a critical reminder of the realities faced by millions of Indian expatriates worldwide [https://www.india.com/news/world/this-muslim-country-saudi-arabia-deported-more-indians-in-2025-than-us-visa-rules-h1b-visa-world-news-8246604].