Fear grips Akalites in India as deportation gathers momentum.

Last week, fear engulfed some families in Umuaka whose children and family members reside in India. The reason for the fear was that India, an Asian giant with current population approximated at 1.471 billion people, with a growth rate of 0.857% per annum is currently deporting immigrants, including those from African countries, as part of her broader efforts to address illegal immigration and national security concerns especially in this current era of terrorism.

Umuaka Times correspondents in India reported that the government has been cracking down on undocumented migrants, particularly from countries like Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh and Myanmar, citing security threats and pressure on local resources.

Recent deportations have targeted individuals without valid documents or those who have overstayed their visas. For instance, in 2025, Indian authorities deported hundreds of people to Bangladesh, sparking controversy and criticism from rights activists who argued that the deportations were unlawful and based on ethnic profiling. On the other hand, the Indian government maintains that the measures are necessary to protect national security and address the issue of illegal immigration. However, critics argue that the policies disproportionately affect minority groups, including Muslims and African immigrants especially Nigerians.

Umuaka has a highly sizable population of young men living in the country. So too are other neighbouring communities to Umuaka such as Ekwe, Amurie, Amandugba, Umundugba and a host of others.

In her efforts to carry out the deportation exercise, recently, Delhi Police apprehended 260 people from African nations, including Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Kenya, for alleged involvement in drug trafficking and overstaying visas.

The country has also been criticized for deporting individuals without due process, including Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals. In June 2025 according to some reports Umuaka Times came across, Bangladesh reported that India had pushed over 1,600 people across the border, with some estimates suggesting the number could be as high as 2,500.

In another development, the Indian government is planning to introduce the Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill to regulate emigration and combat human trafficking. The bill aims to create a framework for safe and orderly migration, while also addressing issues related to deportation and illegal migration.

An Akalite who lives in India who does not want his name mentioned advised Akalites living in the country illegally to take their leave immediately before it would turn to violence and lynching. On the same platform, Akalites who have their family members and relations in India have been told to check out on them.