Amritsar, India – A U.S. military aircraft arrived in Amritsar, Punjab, carrying 112 Indian nationals who had been deported from the United States for residing in the country illegally. This was the third such flight in a short span, as the U.S. administration continues its crackdown on illegal immigration.
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Details of the Deportation Flight
The aircraft, a C-17, landed at Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji International Airport in Amritsar. Among the deportees, 44 were from Haryana, 33 from Gujarat, and 31 from Punjab, with the remainder from other states including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh. Nineteen women and 14 minors, including two infants, were also on board.
Upon arrival, the deportees underwent immigration and verification procedures before being allowed to proceed to their respective homes. Arrangements were made to transport them to their destinations.
Previous Deportation Flights
This deportation follows two earlier flights that also landed in Amritsar. The first flight on February 5 brought 104 Indian deportees, and the second on Saturday carried 116 individuals.
Experiences of the Deportees
Many of the deportees recounted harsh experiences during their journey, alleging that they were handcuffed and shackled. Some claimed they were misled by travel agents and took dangerous routes in search of better opportunities.
Families of the deportees also shared stories of distress, with some having taken out significant loans or sold property to finance their relatives' journeys. One family from Punjab reported spending a substantial amount, approximately ₹50-55 lakh, to send their relative abroad, only to see their hopes dashed.
Political Reactions
The deportations have stirred political debate. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann criticized the central government for allowing these flights to land in Amritsar, suggesting it was an attempt to defame Punjab. He assured that the deportees would be treated well and that arrangements were in place for their transportation and meals.
Punjab NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal expressed concern over the treatment of the deportees, stating that they were allegedly restrained during the journey. He urged the deportees to file complaints against fraudulent travel agents.
The Haryana government sent special buses to pick up deportees from the state. However, the use of buses typically reserved for prisoners drew criticism from Punjab ministers, who deemed it disrespectful.
Government Action
The government has pledged to take action against fraudulent travel agents and has encouraged deportees to report such agents. Prime Minister Narendra Modi previously stated India's willingness to take back its citizens living illegally in the U.S., emphasizing the need to dismantle human trafficking networks.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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