Second batch of illegal US immigrants likely to land in Amritsar on February 15
A United States aircraft carrying 119 Indian nationals who had been residing illegally in the country is expected to land at Amritsar airport on February 15. This marks the second such batch of Indian deportees being sent back under the stringent immigration policies enforced by the Trump administration, which had vowed to crack down on undocumented immigrants after taking office last month.
According to government sources, the aircraft is scheduled to touch down at Amritsar airport around 10 pm on Saturday. Among the 119 deportees aboard the flight, a significant portion—67 individuals—hail from Punjab, making it the state with the highest number of returnees. Additionally, 33 deportees belong to Haryana, while eight are from Gujarat. Three individuals are from Uttar Pradesh, while two are from Goa, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. Furthermore, one person each from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir is also part of the deported group, as per official data.
Officials have also confirmed that another US aircraft carrying more deportees is set to arrive on February 16, further emphasizing the escalation of repatriation measures being undertaken by American authorities.
This latest development follows closely on the heels of a similar incident just last week when a US military aircraft transporting 104 deported Indian nationals arrived at Amritsar airport. The composition of that group revealed that 33 individuals each were from Haryana and Gujarat, while 30 hailed from Punjab.
Many of the deported individuals, particularly those from Punjab, had undertaken perilous journeys in hopes of securing better economic prospects for themselves and their families in the United States. However, their aspirations were abruptly cut short when they were apprehended while attempting to cross the US border illegally. The returnees reported that they were shackled and restrained during their transportation back to India, highlighting the harsh measures undertaken by US authorities during deportation procedures.
Following Donald Trump’s swearing-in as President, US law enforcement agencies have intensified their crackdown on undocumented immigrants, leading to increased repatriation efforts. This has had significant ramifications for numerous Indian nationals, particularly from Punjab and other states, who had sought entry into the US through illicit means. Many of these individuals had relied on “donkey routes”—a term used for unauthorized and highly perilous pathways employed by migrants to enter the US or other foreign countries. Others resorted to using fraudulent documents or intermediaries, often spending lakhs of rupees to facilitate their journey.
In Punjab, the recent surge in deportations has triggered political controversy. Several political leaders in the state have voiced concerns over the decision to land US deportation flights at Amritsar airport. Punjab’s Finance Minister, Harpal Singh Cheema, questioned the rationale behind this move, alleging that the central government was attempting to tarnish Punjab’s reputation. “The BJP-led Central government wants to defame Punjab. Why does it not land in Gujarat, Haryana, or Delhi?” Cheema stated on Thursday in response to questions about the expected arrival of another deportation flight.
Amid the growing concerns over human trafficking and illegal immigration, the Punjab government has taken concrete steps to investigate and address the issue. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was recently constituted to probe cases of fraudulent immigration and human trafficking following the large-scale deportation of Indian nationals from the US. Law enforcement officials have since made significant progress, with the SIT registering 10 First Information Reports (FIRs) against fraudulent immigration consultants based on statements provided by deportees. According to senior police officials, these cases aim to hold accountable those responsible for misleading and exploiting vulnerable individuals seeking opportunities abroad.
With the Trump administration’s firm stance on illegal immigration, experts anticipate that such deportation efforts may continue, further impacting Indian nationals who have sought unauthorized entry into the US. Meanwhile, authorities in India continue to grapple with the larger implications of these deportations, particularly in states like Punjab, where illegal migration has remained a persistent issue for years. The latest deportation flights have only reignited debates surrounding the challenges of illegal immigration, human trafficking, and the role of the Indian government in addressing these pressing concerns.
