On February 5, 2025, a U.S. military C-17 aircraft landed at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar, Punjab, carrying 104 illegal Indian immigrants who were deported for violating U.S. immigration laws. This group included 79 men, 25 women, and 12 minors from Punjab, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra, with the youngest being just 4 years old [43ebbd42].
The flight took off from Texas on February 4, 2025, marking a significant moment in the Trump administration's intensified efforts to deport undocumented migrants. This deportation coincides with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Washington, raising concerns about the implications for U.S.-India relations [43ebbd42].
Punjab's Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced the establishment of help desks at the airport to assist the returning immigrants, ensuring they receive necessary support upon their arrival. Authorities have also implemented checks on criminal records to ensure the safety and security of the deportees [43ebbd42].
Political reactions have been swift, with the Congress party accusing the U.S. of humiliating the deportees. Congress MP Manickam Tagore criticized PM Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar for their silence on the matter, calling it shocking. CPI(ML) MP Raja Ram Singh has urged for clarification on India's stance regarding these deportations [43ebbd42].
Punjab's Minister for NRI Affairs, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, expressed disappointment over the deportation, arguing that many of those deported had contributed to the U.S. economy and should have been granted residency. He plans to meet with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar next week to discuss the concerns of the Punjabi community in the U.S. and to encourage individuals to pursue legal avenues for overseas opportunities [606bec8f].
This deportation is part of a broader trend of increased illegal immigration from India, with estimates suggesting that India may repatriate up to 18,000 undocumented migrants from the U.S. As of 2022, approximately 220,000 undocumented Indian migrants were living in the U.S., reflecting the significant challenges faced by many seeking better opportunities abroad [4efc853d].
The Indian government has reiterated its stance against illegal immigration, with the Ministry of External Affairs facilitating the return of Indian nationals who have overstayed or are residing without proper documentation. This situation underscores the urgent need for India to address the economic conditions that drive migration, as many migrants cite discrimination and government pressure related to the Khalistan movement as motivating factors for their departure [4efc853d].
The operational cost of the C-17 flight is approximately $28,500 per hour, reflecting the significant resources allocated to enforcing these immigration policies. Upon arrival, deported individuals will undergo identity verification by Indian authorities, emphasizing the procedural aspects of their return [8a3e8daf]. As the world grapples with the complexities of illegal immigration, India's role in addressing the root causes of migration could be pivotal, necessitating engagement in international dialogues and cooperative policies to create a balanced approach [4efc853d].