US Deportation Flight Lands in Punjab
The deportation marks one of the recent efforts by the US government to return undocumented migrants to their countries of origin. This trend is in line with President Trump’s commitment to mass deportations, which has seen a steady rise in the removal of Indian nationals over the past few years.
Indian nationals, particularly from Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat, represent a significant proportion of these removals. Historically, Punjab has seen large numbers of migrants attempting to enter the United States by crossing its southern and northern borders. The deportees are received in Amritsar, close to many deportees’ places of origin, before being sent to their home states. Special arrangements were made to handle the influx separately from commercial flight passengers.
From 2018 to 2023, over 5,477 Indian nationals have been deported from the US, including chartered and commercial flights. The largest number of deportations, totaling over 2,300, occurred in 2020, highlighting the increasing trend of removals targeting Indian nationals.
Rising Trend in Deportations to India
The situation highlights the steady increase in deportation activity under US enforcement policies. India is currently among the top five countries in terms of undocumented migrant populations according to multiple studies. For instance, Pew Research Center estimates the number of illegal Indian immigrants at 725,000 as of 2022, while the Migration Policy Institute places the figure at 375,000.
Despite differences in figures, India remains one of the largest origin countries for unauthorized migrants in the United States. Mexico, El Salvador, and Honduras continue to dominate ICE’s deportation statistics, but India ranks high due to its growing number of encounters at the US-Mexico border.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has also classified India as one of several countries identified as “uncooperative” when finalizing deportations. These classifications depend on criteria such as delays in issuing necessary travel documents and resistance to removal processes. However, recent collaboration between India’s government and the US has shown progress in aligning immigration and mobility policies.
India’s Response to Deportations
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has reaffirmed the country’s strong stance against illegal migration. India’s foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “India firmly opposes illegal migration, particularly given its links with organized crime.” He continued to emphasize ongoing cooperation between India and the US in tackling unauthorized migration while creating legal pathways for migration.
The process requires thorough verification, including confirming the nationality of deported individuals before accepting them in India. Special measures, such as repatriation agreements and migration partnerships, are part of efforts to address the issue holistically.
Global Trends in Migration Enforcement
Under President Trump’s administration, the US has used military and chartered flights more frequently to deport undocumented immigrants. Last year alone, 271,000 migrants were repatriated to 192 countries under US policy, highlighting the intensification of measures against illegal immigration.
While deportation flights are not new, the use of military planes has drawn international attention. Critics question the humanitarian implications of mass removals under such conditions. On the other hand, US officials argue that collaborating with countries like India helps to reduce unlawful border crossings and strengthens ties for future bilateral agreements.
Punjab and Gujarat—two states that dominate migration efforts to the US—have been at the center of removals. Many residents from these regions reportedly work in various sectors in the US before receiving orders of deportation. As a result, programs focusing on legal migration opportunities are being enhanced to address migration challenges on both sides.
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