A US military transport aircraft carrying more than 100 deported Indian immigrants was due to land in Amritsar on Wednesday. This will be the first deportation flight to India under President Donald Trump’s second term as he cracks down on illegal immigration. The move is part of a broader push by Trump’s administration to tighten immigration laws and remove illegal migrants.
This deportation action comes at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet President Trump in Washington on February 13. Immigration is likely to be one of the major issues of discussion during the meeting. The two leaders recently discussed illegal immigration, with Trump stating Modi would “do the right thing.”
Punjab officials confirmed that the C-17 military flight carrying deportees was arriving. The returnees were mainly from Punjab and neighboring states. The local government has arranged for special reception procedures at Amritsar’s airport to assist the returnees. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Punjab’s NRI Affairs Minister, will be present at the airport when the plane lands.
Passenger Details and Repatriation
The manifest has 104 people on board including many from the state of Gujarat. The Haryana and the Punjab natives confirmed that they are being sent home after verification record. Deported Haryana passengers will be alighted at the Amritsar station, same with the deports who originated from Punjab natives. The statistical distribution of deportation is not clear.
The deportation is concurrent with India’s move to address immigration issues. From October 2023 to September 2024, US authorities deported more than 1,100 Indian nationals, showing a steady increase in deportations. In the last major deportation operation, around 100 Indian nationals were repatriated in October 2023.
Many deportees had entered the US legally but overstayed their visas. Others used illegal routes, known as the “donkey route,” which were costly. Dhaliwal underscored the need to explore legal channels for migration and investment in education and skills building for those looking to migrate legally.
US Message on Illegal Migration
According to the US embassy spokesman, “The US government message is quite clear: It says that illegal immigration is not worthwhile. Today there are some 18,000 illegal Indian migrants in the United States. ”
India on Illegal Immigration
India’s external affairs ministry, which is represented by spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, reconfirmed the country’s stance against illegal immigration, especially because it links to organized crime. According to Jaiswal, India would repatriate all Indian nationals who overstayed their visas or are living without documentation in the US.
Deportations by Pentagon
The Pentagon further expanded its operations in immigration control by using air force planes in deportation. Recently, it took immigrants to several countries, for instance, to Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras. Such an operation costs them a lot in terms of airlifting migrants alone, which stood at $4,675 one way to Guatemala.
Trump’s larger plan is to use the military to enforce immigration policies, including sending more troops to the southern border and holding migrants on military bases. The Modi-Trump meeting is expected to touch on issues other than immigration, including trade, defense, and regional security. US officials have hailed India’s cooperation in deportation efforts, citing the successful operation of the October flight.