SRINAGAR: A US military aircraft carrying 205 illegal Indian immigrants is expected to land at the Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport in Amritsar on Wednesday afternoon. The C-17 military transport plane, which departed from San Antonio, Texas, is bringing back individuals who had entered the United States through illegal means through ‘donkey’ routes, mainly hailing from Punjab and neighbouring states.
Initially scheduled to arrive in the morning, the flight’s landing was delayed. Authorities in Punjab are preparing to receive the deported individuals, with state officials setting up counters at the airport to manage the arrival process. Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav confirmed that arrangements had been made to handle the situation efficiently.
Punjab NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal expressed disappointment over the US decision, arguing that these individuals, who had contributed to the American economy, should have been granted permanent residency rather than being deported. He also pointed out that many of them had initially entered the US on work permits that later expired, rendering them undocumented migrants. Dhaliwal plans to meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar next week to discuss the concerns of Punjabis living in the United States.
The deportation marks the first instance of Indian nationals being returned on a US military aircraft since Donald Trump resumed office as President on January 20. Trump had pledged a crackdown on illegal immigration during his election campaign and has since directed US law enforcement agencies to intensify deportation efforts. His administration has significantly expanded detention camps and accelerated removals of illegal migrants.
Since Trump took office, thousands of undocumented immigrants have been detained in overcrowded facilities at the US-Mexico border and across the country. Many of them have been held in temporary detention camps set up by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Reports indicate that over 5,000 immigrants from various countries, including Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras, have been deported on US military aircraft since Trump reimplemented stringent border enforcement measures. The Pentagon has provided planes to assist in these deportations, with flights leaving from El Paso, Texas, and San Diego, California.
A spokesperson from the US Embassy confirmed that the country is vigorously enforcing its immigration laws and removing undocumented migrants. “These actions send a clear message: illegal migration is not worth the risk,” the official stated.
India has not yet issued a formal response regarding this specific deportation, but the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) previously stated on January 24 that it would facilitate the return of Indian nationals found to be overstaying or residing without proper documentation abroad.
Reports indicate that India and the US have identified approximately 18,000 Indian nationals for deportation, though the actual number may be significantly higher. According to US Customs and Border Protection data, Indians accounted for about 3 per cent of all unlawful crossings into the US in the 2024 fiscal year.
The use of military aircraft for deportations is an expensive approach. Reuters reported that a recent deportation flight to Guatemala cost an estimated $4,675 per migrant. The C-17 Globemaster aircraft, which is being used for the India-bound flight, incurs an operational cost of approximately $28,500 per hour, making this the longest and most expensive deportation flight undertaken so far by the Trump administration.
Upon arrival in India, the deported individuals will undergo debriefing by authorities. Officials will verify their identities and investigate the networks that facilitated their illegal migration to the US. The Indian government has been actively discouraging its citizens from resorting to illegal routes for migration and instead promoting skill development and legal pathways for overseas employment.
The deportation of these 205 individuals is seen as a significant step in Trump’s broader immigration enforcement agenda. While India has cooperated with the return of its nationals, concerns remain regarding the potential impact on legal migration channels. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has previously reiterated that India remains open to the legitimate return of its citizens residing abroad without proper documentation.
