Canada is intensifying its immigration enforcement operations, with newly published government figures revealing that more than 12,000 people were removed from the country during the first seven months of 2026.
The latest statistics from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) show that Indian nationals account for the largest share of enforced immigration removals, placing India ahead of Mexico and other countries on Canada's removal list.
Between January 1 and July 31, 2026, Canada recorded 12,491 enforced immigration removals. Of that number, 3,717 involved Indian nationals, representing approximately 29.8 per cent of all removals during the period.
The figures highlight a significant development in Canada's immigration enforcement system, which has experienced rising removal numbers over recent years.
According to Immigration News Canada, which analysed the latest CBSA statistics, India has moved from second place in 2025 to the top position in the 2026 removal rankings.
The figures also reveal that Nigeria, Bangladesh, China, Pakistan and several other countries have nationals appearing in Canada's immigration enforcement statistics.
INDIA LEADS CANADA'S IMMIGRATION REMOVAL STATISTICS
The latest CBSA figures show a considerable difference between the number of Indian nationals removed from Canada and those from other countries.
India recorded 3,717 removals between January and July 2026, while Mexico ranked second with 1,936.
The United States followed with 510, Colombia recorded 473, and Haiti recorded 414.
Other countries appearing among the leading nationalities included Romania, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Turkey and China.
The top 10 nationalities recorded were:
- India: 3,717
- Mexico: 1,936
- United States: 510
- Colombia: 473
- Haiti: 414
- Romania: 356
- Bangladesh: 269
- Nigeria: 260
- Turkey: 253
- China: 230
The figures indicate that Canada's immigration enforcement activities affect nationals from different parts of the world, rather than one nationality alone.
However, India's position is particularly notable because its 2026 removal figure through July had already reached approximately 98.4 per cent of the total number of Indian nationals removed during the entire previous year.
In 2025, Canada removed 3,779 Indian nationals. By July 2026, the country had already removed 3,717.
This means the 2026 total could exceed the previous year's figure if the current trend continues.
NIGERIA ALSO FEATURES PROMINENTLY IN CANADA'S IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT DATA
Although India leads the removal statistics, Nigeria is also represented in the latest figures.
CBSA recorded 260 enforced removals involving Nigerian nationals between January and July 2026.
More significantly, the agency's removal-in-progress inventory listed 2,264 Nigerian nationals as of July 31, 2026.
This places Nigeria third in the published removal-in-progress nationality figures, behind India and Mexico.
The removal-in-progress category is different from people who have already been removed.
It includes individuals whose cases are moving through the enforcement process but may still face practical barriers before removal can take place.
These barriers can include legal proceedings, travel documentation and cooperation between Canadian authorities and foreign governments.
It is therefore important not to interpret all 2,264 cases as completed deportations or assume that every person listed will necessarily be removed.
For Nigerian students, workers, visitors, permanent residents and other immigrants, the figures are a reminder of the importance of understanding Canadian immigration requirements and maintaining lawful immigration status.
WHY IS CANADA REMOVING SO MANY PEOPLE?
One of the most important aspects of the new statistics is understanding why people are being removed.
The figures do not suggest that everyone removed from Canada was involved in criminal activity.
According to the CBSA breakdown, 10,050 of the 12,491 removals between January and July 2026 involved non-compliance by refugee claimants.
Another 1,544 involved non-compliance by individuals who were not refugee claimants.
These cases can include people whose immigration applications or refugee claims were unsuccessful, individuals who did not comply with immigration procedures, and people who overstayed visas or violated the conditions of their work or study permits.
Criminality accounted for 746 removals, representing approximately six per cent of the total.
Misrepresentation accounted for another 67 removals, while 84 involved other inadmissibility grounds.
The statistics demonstrate an important distinction: Canada's removal system is not exclusively focused on people convicted of crimes.
Many removals arise from immigration status, compliance requirements and unsuccessful immigration processes.
CBSA does not publish a breakdown connecting each nationality directly to the specific reason for removal. Consequently, it would be incorrect to conclude that the 3,717 Indian nationals were removed because of criminal offences.
CANADA RECORDED MORE THAN 23,000 REMOVALS IN 2025
The latest developments follow a significant increase in immigration enforcement over recent years.
In 2025, Canada recorded 23,160 enforced removals, which CBSA and Public Safety Canada described as the highest annual total in the agency's history.
The historical figures show the following trend:
- 2020: 12,858 removals.
- 2021: 7,523 removals.
- 2022: 8,335 removals.
- 2023: 15,231 removals.
- 2024: 17,397 removals.
- 2025: 23,160 removals.
- 2026: 12,491 removals through July 31.
The numbers demonstrate that immigration enforcement has increased considerably since 2022.
However, the 2026 figure represents only seven months and should not be directly compared with complete annual totals.
Canada's immigration enforcement system continues to process outstanding cases, while the government has committed additional resources to immigration enforcement and border operations.
CBSA'S CRACKDOWN ON EXTORTION AND ORGANIZED CRIME
Canada's immigration enforcement activities also include targeted operations against individuals suspected of involvement in organised criminal networks.
On September 14, 2026, CBSA announced that its targeted enforcement initiative against extortion networks had resulted in 111 removals.
As of September 3, the agency reported that 188 removal orders had been issued under the initiative, with 111 individuals already removed.
The regional breakdown included:
- Pacific Region: 58 individuals removed.
- Prairie Region: 30 individuals removed.
- Greater Toronto Area: 23 individuals removed.
The initiative focuses on individuals found inadmissible under Canadian immigration law, including cases involving criminal organisations and extortion-related activities.
CBSA has also highlighted cases involving individuals connected to organised criminal activity, firearms-related incidents and violent offences.
However, the 111 removals are part of a separate targeted enforcement initiative and should not be added to the nationality statistics as a separate group without accounting for possible overlap.
UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DEPORTATION AND REMOVAL
Another important issue in Canada's immigration system is the difference between deportation and removal.
Although the words are frequently used interchangeably in everyday conversations, Canadian immigration law recognises three main types of removal orders.
1. Departure Order
A departure order generally requires an individual to leave Canada within 30 days after the order becomes enforceable and confirm their departure with CBSA.
Failure to comply can result in the order becoming a deportation order.
2. Exclusion Order
An exclusion order generally prevents an individual from returning to Canada for one year.
In cases involving misrepresentation, the exclusion period is generally five years.
3. Deportation Order
A deportation order is the most serious of the three.
It generally prevents an individual from returning to Canada unless they obtain written authorisation from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Between January and July 2026, CBSA recorded:
- 7,333 deportation orders.
- 2,618 departure orders.
- 2,540 exclusion orders.
These figures account for the 12,491 enforced removals recorded during the period.
Understanding these distinctions is important because not every person described in a news report as having been deported has necessarily received a formal deportation order.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND FOREIGN WORKERS?
The rising removal figures come at a time when Canada is making significant changes to its immigration and temporary resident systems.
International students, foreign workers and visitors are expected to comply with the conditions attached to their immigration documents.
Students must respect the conditions of their study permits, including applicable work restrictions and enrolment requirements.
Foreign workers must comply with the conditions of their work permits, while visitors must respect the terms of their authorised stay.
Individuals who wish to extend their immigration status should ensure that applications are submitted correctly and within the required timelines.
Providing false information, submitting fraudulent documents or withholding important information during an immigration application can also have serious consequences.
However, an immigration violation does not automatically mean that an individual will be immediately deported. Each case depends on the applicable law, evidence, available review procedures and individual circumstances.
WHAT SHOULD IMMIGRANTS IN CANADA DO?
The latest statistics provide an opportunity for immigrants to review their immigration situations and understand their responsibilities.
People living in Canada should:
- Keep their immigration documents valid and monitor expiry dates.
- Follow the conditions attached to their study permits, work permits or visitor status.
- Provide truthful information in immigration applications.
- Attend required immigration interviews and legal proceedings.
- Respond appropriately to official communications from IRCC or CBSA.
- Seek qualified immigration legal assistance if they receive a removal order or face an inadmissibility proceeding.
Anyone facing possible removal should obtain advice from a qualified Canadian immigration lawyer or authorised immigration representative as soon as possible.
There may be legal options available depending on the circumstances of the case, but deadlines can be important.
THE BIGGER QUESTION: IS CANADA CHANGING ITS IMMIGRATION APPROACH?
The latest figures reflect a broader shift towards stronger immigration enforcement in Canada.
The government is attempting to manage immigration levels, address non-compliance, maintain the integrity of the immigration system and remove individuals who are legally inadmissible.
At the same time, Canada continues to rely on immigration to support its labour market, educational institutions, businesses and long-term economic development.
This creates an important balance.
A country has the authority to enforce its immigration laws, but enforcement must also respect due process, procedural fairness and the legal protections available to individuals.
Immigration cases can involve complicated circumstances, including unsuccessful refugee claims, family separation, changes in personal circumstances and legal disputes.
For that reason, every case should be assessed according to its individual facts rather than assumptions based on nationality.
CONCLUSION
Canada's latest immigration removal statistics reveal a significant increase in enforcement activity, with Indian nationals accounting for nearly three in every ten people removed between January and July 2026.
Nigeria also recorded 260 removals during the same period, while 2,264 Nigerian nationals appeared in the removal-in-progress inventory.
The figures demonstrate that Canada's immigration enforcement system is operating at a substantial level, with thousands of cases moving through different stages of the removal process.
However, the statistics should be understood carefully. Being included in removal figures does not automatically mean someone committed a criminal offence, and nationality alone does not establish the reason for removal.
For immigrants already living in Canada and those planning to move to the country, understanding immigration rules, maintaining lawful status and seeking appropriate legal advice when necessary remain essential.
As Canada continues strengthening immigration enforcement, the balance between border integrity, public safety, fairness and the protection of individual rights will remain an important national discussion.
Sources: Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Immigration News Canada, and Public Safety Canada.
Original report: https://immigrationnewscanada.ca/deportations-from-canada-surge-for-indians/