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Indians now form the largest country cohort deported from Canada
CBSA data shows Indian nationals were the largest deportation cohort in Canada in the first quarter of 2026, with 1,712 removals (32.5% of 5,260). They overtook Mexicans, who totaled 743 removals. The development follows 2025 trends where Mexican removals led the year’s total.
Why It Matters
The shift signals changing patterns in border enforcement and could influence policy debates on travel documents, enforcement priorities, and return-cost policies.
Timeline
7 Events
April 30, 2026: Q1 2026 removals—Indians largest country cohort in Canada (1,712 removals, 32.5% of 5,260; Mexicans 743)
April 30, 2026
CBSA data for January–March 2026 show Indian nationals were the largest country cohort removed from Canada, with 1,712 removals (32.5% of 5,260); Mexicans accounted for 743 removals.
April 2025: Cost recovery framework comes into force
April 2025
The cost recovery framework came into force in April 2025, applying to escorted and unescorted removals regardless of destination.
2025 annual removals: Mexicans 4,837; Indians 3,779 (16.3% of 23,160)
2025
For 2025, Mexican removals totaled 4,837, while Indian removals were 3,779, or 16.3% of a total 23,160 removals.
2025 removals in progress inventory: Indians largest cohort (6,980; just over 22% of 31,482)
2025
Indians formed the largest cohort in the removals in progress inventory, with 6,980 individuals, just over 22% of the 31,482 total.
2025 year-end CBSA release: 841 removals subject to serious inadmissibility
2025
In its year-end release, CBSA stated that 841 removals were subject to serious inadmissibility (national security, organized crime, human rights violations, and criminality).
January 2025: Canada announces cost recovery framework for removed persons returning to Canada
January 2025
Canada announced a cost recovery framework for removed persons who want to return to Canada. Fees were set to rise from about CAD 1,500 to just over CAD 12,800 for escorted removals and just over CAD 3,800 for unescorted removals.
2020 removals: Indians account for the maximum removals
2020
In 2020, Indians accounted for the maximum removals, with 1,424 Indians removed and 1,391 Mexicans, out of a total of 12,858 removals.