According to reports on Wednesday (5 February), a US military aircraft carrying 104 deported Indian migrants landed at Amritsar’s Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport. Authorities are scrutinizing the backgrounds of the deportees, particularly their criminal records, and anyone found with a prior offense will be arrested immediately. The deported individuals include people from Punjab, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Chandigarh. Security at the airport was heightened, and documents of all deportees were being thoroughly checked.
The US deportation is part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigrants ordered by President Donald Trump in his second term. Many of these individuals had entered the US through illegal means, spending large sums on unauthorized routes. The deportation comes just ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s expected visit to Washington, where immigration is likely to be a key discussion point. The US Embassy in New Delhi has stated that Washington is strengthening its immigration laws and taking strict action against undocumented migrants.
New Delhi has confirmed its cooperation with the US in accepting deported Indian nationals after verification of their identities. India maintains that it does not support illegal immigration due to its links to organized crime. The Ministry of External Affairs has stated that any Indian national overstaying or residing illegally in another country will be repatriated if proper documentation is provided. This approach aligns with India’s broader stance on managing unauthorized migration.
Reports indicate that around 725,000 undocumented Indians currently reside in the US, with a significant number from Punjab and Gujarat. Media sources also suggest that over 20,000 Indians are either facing removal orders or being held in US detention centers. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended deportation flights, claiming they deter future illegal migration. The Indian government has acknowledged the return of 519 Indian nationals from the US between November 2023 and October 2024, with deportations carried out via both commercial and chartered flights.
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