US Deports 119 More Indians: Military Aircraft to Land in Amritsar
Another Wave of Deportations: 119 Illegal Indian Immigrants Return from US
Amritsar is set to witness the arrival of another group of deported Indian immigrants as part of US President Donald Trump’s intensified crackdown on illegal migration. On Saturday, 119 undocumented Indian immigrants will be flown into Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport aboard a US military C-17 aircraft, marking the second round of mass deportations within weeks.
Breakdown of Deportees by State
Among the 119 individuals facing deportation, Punjab leads with 67 deportees, followed by Haryana (33), Gujarat (8), Uttar Pradesh (3), Rajasthan (2), Maharashtra (2), Goa (2), and one each from Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. The deportation flight is scheduled to land around 10 PM, and this process is expected to continue biweekly until all illegal immigrants are repatriated.
This follows the deportation of 104 Indian nationals last week, who were similarly sent back via a US military aircraft.
PM Modi on Immigration and Human Trafficking
The deportations coincide with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the United States, where immigration was a key point of discussion in his meeting with President Trump. Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to taking back its citizens who have been staying illegally in the US.
During a joint press conference, he highlighted that many of these individuals come from modest backgrounds and fall victim to human trafficking networks that lure them with false promises of a better life abroad.
“They are shown big dreams and most of them are misled and brought here. We must dismantle the entire ecosystem of human trafficking. India and the US should work together to eradicate this menace from its roots.”
The Indian government has taken a firm stance on human trafficking, calling for a coordinated effort to curb illegal migration at its source.
Controversy Over Treatment of Indian Deportees
The manner in which deported Indians are being handled has sparked outrage among citizens and politicians alike. Reports of deportees being handcuffed and shackled during the flights have drawn widespread criticism. While the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has defended these measures as standard security protocols, many argue that they are excessive and inhumane for individuals whose only offense is an immigration violation.
India Demands Dignified Treatment for Deportees
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the issue in Parliament, assuring that New Delhi is actively engaging with US authorities to ensure that deported Indian nationals receive fair and dignified treatment.
“While we respect immigration laws, humane treatment should not be compromised. We are in discussions with US officials to prevent any unnecessary harsh treatment of deportees.”
With growing pressure on the Indian government to reintegrate these returnees and provide them with opportunities back home, policymakers are expected to ramp up efforts to curb illegal migration through stricter monitoring and public awareness campaigns.
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