A plane carrying 112 Indians deported from the United States for illegally residing in the country landed in Amritsar on Sunday night, marking the third such arrival in just ten days. This comes as part of the President Donald Trump administration’s ongoing crackdown on illegal immigration. However, the move has raised concerns in India over the treatment of deportees and the larger issue of human trafficking.
The deportees, who arrived on a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft at around 10:03 PM, were from various states, including Punjab (31), Haryana (44), Gujarat (33), Uttar Pradesh (2), Himachal Pradesh (1), and Uttarakhand (1). Family members of some deportees gathered at the airport to receive their loved ones. Authorities ensured that all necessary immigration, verification, and background checks were completed before allowing them to return home.
This latest deportation follows similar flights on February 5 and Saturday, which brought back 104 and 116 Indians, respectively.
Allegations of Mistreatment and Political Response
The deportation process has triggered political controversy in India, especially after reports emerged that deportees from the first flight were shackled throughout the journey and freed only upon arrival. Similar claims were made by those who returned on Saturday, prompting an uproar in both Houses of Parliament.
In response, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that India is in talks with the US to ensure deportees are treated with dignity. He emphasized that deportations are not a new phenomenon, as the US has been repatriating illegal migrants for years.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann visited Amritsar airport to oversee the arrival and assured that arrangements were in place for a smooth return to their hometowns. “Our vehicles are ready to take them to their places,” he said.
PM Modi’s Stand on Illegal Immigration and Human Trafficking
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who recently met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, reiterated India’s willingness to take back its citizens who are residing illegally in the U.S. However, he also emphasized the urgent need to dismantle the human trafficking networks that mislead people into migrating unlawfully.
“Our bigger fight is against that entire ecosystem, and we are confident that President Trump will fully cooperate with India in finishing this ecosystem,” PM Modi stated. He added that most illegal immigrants come from ordinary families and fall victim to false promises made by traffickers.
At a joint press conference with President Trump, PM Modi clarified, “Those who stay in other countries illegally do not have any legal right to be there. As far as India and the U.S. are concerned, we have always said that those who are verified and are truly the citizens of India—if they live in the U.S. illegally, India is ready to take them back.”
US Justifies Deportations Amidst Criticism
Meanwhile, the United States, in defense of its actions, maintained that enforcing immigration laws is essential for national security. “It is the policy of the United States to faithfully execute the immigration laws against all inadmissible and removable aliens,” a spokesperson of the US Embassy in India stated.
With three large-scale deportations occurring in just ten days, concerns remain about the treatment of deportees and the broader issue of illegal migration. While India is committed to taking back its citizens, the focus now shifts to addressing the root causes of human trafficking and ensuring that such large-scale deportations are handled with dignity and fairness.
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