A U.S. military transport aircraft, the C-17 Globemaster III, is scheduled to land at Amritsar International Airport on February 16, carrying approximately 119 Indian nationals. This follows the recent deportation of 104 individuals, marking a continuation of the U.S. government’s intensified efforts to address undocumented immigration.
The upcoming group of deportees includes 67 individuals from Punjab, 33 from Haryana, eight from Gujarat, three from Uttar Pradesh, two each from Rajasthan and Maharashtra, and one each from Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. These deportations are part of an ongoing crackdown by U.S. immigration authorities targeting those who have entered the country illegally or overstayed their visas.
This development comes shortly after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States, where he met with President Donald Trump to discuss key bilateral issues, including immigration. During a joint press conference, Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to repatriating verified Indian nationals and emphasized the need to combat human trafficking networks that exploit vulnerable migrants.
The treatment of deported Indians, particularly reports of individuals arriving in handcuffs and shackles, has sparked significant controversy in India. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) defends these measures as standard security protocols to prevent escape attempts or disruptions during flights. Critics, however, argue that such practices are excessive and inhumane, especially for those whose only offense is an immigration violation.
In response to these concerns, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has stated that India is engaging with U.S. officials to ensure deportees are treated with dignity. He emphasized that while immigration laws must be upheld, humane treatment should not be compromised.
As deportations are expected to continue bi-weekly until all illegal immigrants are returned to their home countries, the Indian government faces the challenge of reintegrating returnees, many of whom have spent years abroad and may struggle to rebuild their lives back home. This situation underscores the broader issue of irregular migration and the need for comprehensive solutions addressing economic hardships and limited employment opportunities that drive individuals to seek unauthorized entry into other countries
