BharatTimes
US Deports 119 Indian Immigrants, Second Military Plane Lands in Amritsar
Amritsar: A US military aircraft carrying 119 Indian deportees landed at Amritsar International Airport on Saturday at 11:40 PM, marking the second round of deportations in just 10 days. This move is part of the Donald Trump administration’s ongoing crackdown on illegal immigration.
The C-17 Globemaster aircraft, which took off from San Antonio, Texas, brought back immigrants from various states, including 67 from Punjab, 33 from Haryana, 8 from Gujarat, and others from Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.
Wave of Deportations Continues
This follows the first batch of 104 deportees who were returned to India on February 5. Another plane, carrying 157 Indians, is expected to land on Sunday, increasing the total number of deportees to nearly 400 within a month.
Many deportees were caught at the US border while trying to enter illegally, hoping for a better future for their families. However, their journey ended in detention and deportation, with some reporting harsh treatment, including being shackled during the flight.
Political Reactions & Government Response
The deportations have sparked political controversy in India, leading to heated discussions in Parliament. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar assured that the Indian government is in talks with US authorities to prevent mistreatment of deportees. He emphasized that deportations are not a new development but part of an ongoing immigration policy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his recent US visit, acknowledged India’s responsibility to take back illegal migrants but urged stronger action against human trafficking networks.
“Our bigger fight is against that entire ecosystem, and we are confident that President Trump will fully cooperate with India in dismantling it,” PM Modi stated.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in India defended the deportations, stating:
“Enforcing immigration laws is critical for national security and public safety. It is the US policy to remove all inadmissible and undocumented individuals.”
Punjab CM Reacts: “Don’t Turn Amritsar Into a Deport Center”
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who visited the Amritsar airport, said his government has arranged transportation for the deportees to their hometowns. Deportees from other states will be flown to Delhi before heading to their respective destinations.
However, Mann criticized the Centre for allowing Amritsar to become a landing spot for mass deportations, stating:
“Amritsar is a holy city, not a deportation center.”
The Bigger Picture
India ranks as the third-largest source of undocumented immigrants in the US, after Mexico and El Salvador. Many desperate individuals pay hefty amounts to human traffickers for an illegal route to the US, only to face detention and deportation.
With the US elections approaching, stricter immigration policies are expected, raising concerns about more deportations in the coming months.
Stay tuned for further updates.
