A US military plane carrying 205 deported Indians has landed in Amritsar. The C-17 aircraft departed from a Texas airport. Sources indicate each deportee’s identity was verified, suggesting Indian government involvement. This is expected to be the first of many such deportation flights.
President Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration began soon after his inauguration. Previously, similar deportations using military aircraft targeted immigrants in Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras.
This first wave of Indian deportations coincides with Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming visit to the US – his first since Trump’s second term began. President Trump reportedly stated that Prime Minister Modi assured him India would cooperate in repatriating illegal Indian immigrants. India and the US have reportedly identified approximately 18,000 such individuals.
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar confirmed India’s willingness to facilitate the “legitimate return” of Indian nationals residing illegally abroad. President Trump previously stated that the US was using military aircraft to deport illegal immigrants.
The Ministry of External Affairs opposes illegal immigration due to its links to organized crime. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified India’s commitment to repatriating Indian nationals overstaying visas or lacking proper documentation, provided their nationality can be verified. A US Embassy spokesperson in New Delhi highlighted the US’s strengthened border enforcement and immigration laws, emphasizing that illegal migration is not worthwhile.
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