A United States military aircraft carrying 205 Indian nationals, who had entered the country illegally, landed at Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport in Amritsar on Wednesday afternoon. The flight departed from San Antonio, Texas, around 3 a.m. IST on February 4 but faced delays, arriving later than scheduled.
According to sources, the highest number of deportees hailed from Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana, followed by Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. Many of these individuals reportedly paid substantial sums to agents who promised them entry into the U.S. However, their journeys ended in detention by American authorities, leaving them facing deportation.
During initial questioning by Indian authorities, the deportees revealed they had relied on different agents and stayed at multiple locations before being apprehended in the U.S. A senior government official described them as both victims and participants in illegal immigration schemes.
“These individuals paid hefty amounts to enter the U.S. illegally. While they were cheated by agents, they also voluntarily chose unlawful routes,” the official stated on condition of anonymity.
Local and central agencies have begun questioning the deportees to determine their involvement in visa violations or unauthorized networks. “Some were knowingly involved, while others were unwittingly caught up in larger schemes,” the official added.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with law enforcement agencies. Decisions on whether to prosecute these individuals will be made following an initial round of investigations.
Indian officials anticipate further deportations of illegal immigrants from the U.S. in the coming days. On Tuesday, Punjab’s Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav assured that the state government would assist the deportees and had set up counters at the airport to manage the process.
Punjab’s NRI Affairs Minister, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, criticized the U.S. government’s decision, arguing that many of these individuals had contributed to the American economy and deserved a chance at permanent residency.
“Many of these individuals entered the U.S. on valid work permits that later expired, rendering them undocumented. Others were misled by agents or took illegal routes,” Dhaliwal explained. He also urged Punjabis to avoid illegal migration and instead focus on acquiring education and skills to access global opportunities legally.
The deportations come in the wake of a stringent crackdown on illegal immigration by U.S. authorities under President Donald Trump, who recently began his second term. Trump’s administration has increasingly relied on military resources to execute its immigration policies, using military aircraft for deportations and opening bases to house migrants.
While previous administrations had deported Indian nationals who were in the U.S. illegally, this marks the first instance of a military aircraft being used for the purpose. It is also the farthest destination for such deportation flights, highlighting the administration’s intensified measures.
In a phone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 27, Trump reportedly expressed confidence that India would cooperate in addressing the issue of illegal immigration. Following the discussion, Trump stated that India “will do what is right” regarding the deportation of undocumented Indian immigrants.
India’s Stance on Illegal Immigration
India has indicated its willingness to collaborate with the U.S. on addressing illegal immigration. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that India is opposed to illegal migration due to its links to organized crime.
“We are committed to taking back Indian nationals who have overstayed or lack proper documentation, provided their nationality is verified,” Jaiswal said. However, he cautioned against speculating on the exact number of undocumented Indians in the U.S.
Jaiswal’s comments come amid estimates suggesting that approximately 18,000 Indian nationals have been identified for deportation by U.S. authorities. Separately, Congress MP Rajeev Shukla claimed during a parliamentary committee meeting that the U.S. plans to deport as many as 7.25 lakh Indians. He raised concerns about the challenges these individuals would face upon their return to India.
These latest deportations underscore the growing challenges faced by Indian nationals seeking better opportunities abroad through unlawful means. Authorities on both sides are grappling with the implications, as deportees reintegrate into Indian society and efforts intensify to combat illegal migration.