How Canada's Visa Crackdown Is Redrawing Punjab's Youth Vote
Stricter visa regulations in Canada, the UK, and the US are significantly impacting Punjabi youth, leading to increased deportations and economic instability. The report highlights how financial desperation among these students is being exploited by criminal gangs and extremist networks.
Why it matters
The intersection of restrictive international immigration policies and local socio-economic distress in Punjab is reshaping regional political dynamics and security concerns.
As Canada tightens Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility norms, the UK shortens the post-study Graduate Route Visa, and the US launches Operation Checkmate to crack down on Indian commercial drivers, it is expected to rebuild Punjab's youth vote since the majority of affected students and truckers are from Punjab.The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) data shows that over 2,000 to 2,500 Punjabi nationals have been deported from the US since 2022. The majority of the 3,567 individuals deported in 2025 were from Punjab and Haryana. Similarly, 1,273 Indian nationals were deported between January 1 and July 31, 2026.According to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and immigration reports, over 8,600 Indians have been deported since 2022. Punjab was expected to face a major jolt as 15,515 state residents were at deportation risk due to various reasons.
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