A US military aircraft reportedly carrying 205 illegal Indian immigrants touched down at Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport in Amritsar on Wednesday afternoon, according to The Times of India.
The individuals, said to be mostly from Punjab and nearby states, were deported amid a renewed crackdown on undocumented immigrants under the Trump administration. The C-17 military plane's landing in Amritsar marks a rare instance of the US using military aircraft for such deportations to India, although similar operations have been carried out for countries like Guatemala and Honduras (Central American countries).
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav confirmed that the state government had made preparations to receive the returnees, setting up special counters at the airport to assist them.
State NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal expressed discontent over the deportations, questioning why these individuals, who reportedly contributed to the US economy, were not granted permanent residency instead.
“Many of them had entered the US on work permits, which later expired, rendering them undocumented,” Dhaliwal noted.
The minister urged people not to fall prey to illegal immigration channels, popularly known as "donkey routes," which involve dangerous journeys and hefty payments to smugglers. Instead, he encouraged aspiring travellers to acquire proper skills, education, and legal documentation before seeking work or residence abroad.
He also mentioned plans to meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar next week to discuss the concerns of Punjabis living in the US.
The deportation comes on the heels of what many believe is a stricter stance by US authorities since Donald Trump returned to office. American agencies are reportedly targeting over 18,000 undocumented Indians for deportation.
Despite these developments, India appears to be cooperating with the US. Following a phone call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump last month, India indicated its willingness to address illegal immigration concerns.
An External Affairs Ministry spokesperson pointed out that India opposes illegal immigration due to its links with organised crime, signalling that more such deportations might be in the pipeline.
