A US military aircraft carrying 104 Indian nationals accused of illegal entry into the United States has landed in Punjab. The deportation flight, which departed from Texas late Tuesday, marks a significant increase in the number of Indian nationals being removed under stricter US immigration policies. Punjab authorities have set up special processing counters at the airport to handle the arrivals.
Key Highlights
104 Indian Nationals Being Deported from the US: The deportees onboard the US military flight are individuals who entered the country without valid documentation and were identified by US immigration authorities for removal. They will be processed separately upon arrival in Amritsar before being transported to their respective home states.
Trump’s Tough Stance on Illegal Immigration: Former US President Donald Trump has emphasized mass deportations as a key aspect of his immigration policy. His administration has identified over 18,000 Indian nationals suspected of illegally entering the US, signaling a continued crackdown on undocumented migrants.
US Increasing Use of Military Aircraft for Deportations: The US has been using military planes and chartered flights for mass deportations. In the fiscal year 2024, more than 1,000 Indian nationals were repatriated through such means, underscoring the growing use of special deportation flights for handling undocumented immigrants.
India Among Top Countries for Illegal Migration to the US: According to the Pew Research Center, approximately 725,000 undocumented Indian immigrants were residing in the US as of 2022, making them the third-largest group after individuals from Mexico and El Salvador. The Migration Policy Institute, however, estimates a lower figure of 375,000, ranking India fifth among countries of origin for unauthorized migration.
Majority of Indian Deportees Belong to Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat: Many Indian migrants entering the US without valid documentation hail from Punjab and Haryana, states with a long history of migration abroad. Gujarat, which is the home state of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has also seen a significant number of individuals attempting to migrate through illegal channels.
ICE Labels India as ‘Uncooperative’ in Deportation Efforts: A document from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) classifies India among 15 nations that are “uncooperative” in deportation proceedings. The classification is based on factors such as delays in issuing travel documents and reluctance to accept charter removal flights.
India’s Foreign Ministry Responds to US Deportation Trends: Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal recently stated that India is firmly opposed to illegal migration, particularly when linked to organized crime. However, he emphasized that India requires thorough verification of deportees’ nationality before accepting them.
Increasing Number of Indians Deported from the US in Recent Years: Between 2018 and 2023, ICE deported a total of 5,477 Indian nationals. The highest number was recorded in 2020 when over 2,300 individuals were removed. This trend continues, with charter flights now being used frequently for repatriation.
Global Deportation Trends Under Biden and Trump: The US deported 271,000 individuals to 192 countries in 2023 under President Joe Biden’s administration. While deportations to India are not new, the increasing frequency of such flights signals a tougher immigration stance as the US seeks to manage its undocumented migrant population.
Survivors Recall Terrifying Journeys Through the Panama Jungle: Many deported Indian migrants share harrowing tales of their journey through treacherous routes like the Darien Gap in Panama. Harjinder Singh, 35, from Jalandhar’s Mundi Chohlian, still wakes up sweating from nightmares of his ordeal five years ago. He had paid Rs 17 lakh ($20,000) to a travel agent and embarked on a perilous route to the US, hoping for a better life. With prayers on their lips and the sound of hissing snakes in their ears, he and 19 others trudged through the 106-km stretch of swampy jungle, often encountering half-eaten bodies of fellow migrants. Reality hit him hard when he was asked for an additional $2,000 to continue through a dangerous ‘donkey trail.’