A US military C-17 transport aircraft carrying 205 Indian nationals deported for illegal immigration landed in Amritsar on Wednesday. This marks the first such deportation under President Donald Trump’s second-term crackdown on undocumented migrants.
The aircraft departed from San Antonio, Texas, and arrived at Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport in Amritsar, Punjab. The deportees, primarily from Punjab and neighboring states, will undergo document verification upon arrival.
However, authorities have not issued any orders for their detention, and they will be allowed to leave after completing the necessary checks.
US Intensifies Deportations Using Military Aircraft
The Trump administration has previously used military planes to deport illegal migrants to countries like Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras. However, India is the farthest destination for which such an aircraft has been deployed.
This development coincides with ongoing discussions between India and the US regarding a potential visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington from February 12 to 13.
A spokesperson from the US embassy declined to comment on the specifics of the deportation flight but reaffirmed the country’s commitment to strict immigration policies.
“The United States is vigorously enforcing its borders, tightening immigration laws, and removing illegal migrants,” the official stated.
The spokesperson also emphasized that these measures serve as a deterrent, sending a clear message that illegal migration is not worth the risk.
India’s Position on Illegal Immigration
Following Trump’s re-election, India has expressed its willingness to cooperate with the US on issues related to illegal immigration.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal recently reiterated India’s stance against illegal migration due to its connection with organized crime.
“India opposes illegal immigration and is prepared to accept its citizens who have overstayed in the US or lack proper documentation,” Jaiswal stated.
He added that New Delhi would facilitate the return of deported individuals once their Indian nationality is verified through official documents.
At the same time, Jaiswal mentioned that it is too early to determine the exact number of undocumented Indian immigrants in the US. However, American authorities have identified approximately 18,000 Indian nationals for deportation.
Trump’s Expectations from India
After a phone conversation with Prime Minister Modi on January 27, Trump expressed confidence that India would cooperate in taking back illegal migrants.
“India will do what is right,” Trump stated, referring to the deportation process.
The US government’s strict immigration enforcement policies continue to impact thousands of Indian nationals who entered the country illegally.
As bilateral discussions progress, both nations will work together to manage deportation procedures while addressing broader immigration concerns.
