THE GOAN | MELBOURNE
The number of Goan illegal immigrants being detained and deported from the United States appears to be slowly increasing, with unofficial figures believed to be far higher than those officially documented.
Commissioner for NRI Affairs in Goa Narendra Sawaikar has confirmed that 15 Goans have so far been detained and subsequently deported from the US and have safely arrived in Goa. However, highly placed sources have indicated that the actual number of deportees could run into triple digits, with many cases going unreported.
According to reports, over 18,000 illegal Indian immigrants were identified in the US by the end of 2025, and deportations have intensified significantly as US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has stepped up action against undocumented migrants across all states.
A senior source from the Goa NRI Commission stated, “We have officially documented only 15 deportees so far. These numbers are based on cases where assistance was required due to expired passports or travel documents, or where information was received through the Ministry of External Affairs.”
The source added that in most cases deportees are unwilling to come forward or report their status due to the social stigma attached to being identified as deportees from the US.
The Goa NRI Commission has also reportedly come across cases involving Portuguese passport holders who possess Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards, but were nevertheless deported by US authorities to India. According to sources, such deportations are being questioned and termed as illegal.
Texas is believed to be among the worst-affected states, given its large population of undocumented migrants. Sources claim that ICE detention camps are currently overflowing, with the number of detainees increasing by the hour. One source stated that over 70 Goans are currently detained in a single wing of an ICE camp in Texas, and are awaiting deportation flights as and when arrangements are made.
Sources further informed that ICE authorities are currently following relatively lenient procedures. Once detained, undocumented immigrants are permitted to contact family members in India via phone calls and provide updates on their wellbeing. However, communication through social media platforms such as WhatsApp or Facebook is strictly prohibited.
The average waiting period for deportation is approximately two months from the date of detention. This process may be expedited if family members in Goa are able to arrange and pay for a one-way airfare, sources said.
Sawaikar stated that since the crisis began, the Goa NRI Commission has been providing counselling and support to families in Goa as well as to deported individuals. He added that the Commission has maintained constant coordination with the Indian Embassy in the US and authorities across various states, ensuring assistance wherever possible.
“It was a well-coordinated effort between the Goa NRI Commission and the Ministry of External Affairs,” Sawaikar said, confirming again that 15 Goans have safely returned to Goa so far.
He urged Goans facing deportation proceedings in the US to immediately report their cases to the Indian Embassy, so that timely assistance and support can be extended.
Sources also revealed that some deportees had lived in the US for over two decades, particularly in Texas, and were actively involved in promoting Konkani tiatr and cultural activities. In one case, a man from Chinchinim in South Goa was recently deported, while his wife continues to remain detained in an ICE camp, awaiting her turn to be deported to India and later to Goa.
