Two more US flights carrying deported Indian immigrants are set to arrive in India this week in the US deportation plan. This comes just days after the Donald Trump administration deported 104 illegal migrants. The exact number of Indians on board remains unclear, but sources indicate that the second flight will land in Amritsar on February 15, followed by another in the coming days.
Schedule of the flight
The first flight of 119 Indian deportees will land on February 15, and a second flight is anticipated the following day. The majority of deportees are from Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat. The administration of President Trump has increased raids on illegal immigrants, resulting in greater deportations.
Most of the returnees report they went looking for improved prospects but were picked up at the border. The political argument has grown more intense in Punjab as state leaders wondered why such flights are being diverted to their state rather than Gujarat or Haryana.
Punjab Minister Calls US Deportation Flights a Political Move
Punjab finance minister Harpal Cheema criticized the Indian government’s decision to land deportation flights in Amritsar, calling it an attempt to defame the state.
“Why not Haryana or Gujarat? This is an attempt by the BJP to tarnish Punjab’s image. This aircraft should land in Ahmedabad instead,” India Today quoted him saying.
Deportation Sparks Political Backlash
The deportation comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the US to meet Trump, where illegal immigration is expected to be a major topic of discussion.
The first batch of deportees was reportedly sent back in handcuffs and leg chains, triggering nationwide outrage in India. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the treatment of deportees, stating that they were treated “even worse than garbage.” The Congress party has urged Modi to address the issue with Trump.
Following the widespread outcry, New Delhi has expressed its concerns to Washington regarding the treatment of deported individuals. The backlash has also prompted police in Punjab and Haryana to crack down on dubious travel agents accused of facilitating illegal migration by charging exorbitant fees.
Nearly 600 Indians on US ‘Removal’ List
The US has informed India that 487 presumed Indian citizens have been served final removal orders. Additionally, last month, US authorities rounded up 203 illegal migrants, mostly near the Mexico border.
The first deportation flight carrying 104 individuals was part of efforts to send back those 203 detained migrants. Of the remaining 99, India has verified the identities of 96 individuals, who are also expected to be deported soon.
India’s foreign secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that the US had shared details about individuals with final removal orders.
“In recent conversations, when we sought details about potential returnees from the US, we have been told that there are up to 487 presumed Indian citizens with final removal orders with the US authorities,” Misri said.
As deportation flights continue to arrive, concerns over the treatment of deported Indian immigrants remain a contentious issue. The situation is expected to be a key point of discussion in the ongoing diplomatic engagements between India and the US.
