India Receives First Group of Illegal Immigrants Deported by US

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Key Takeaways

• On February 5, 2025, 104 Indian illegal immigrants were deported from the US via military aircraft, marking a first.
• Deportees included 79 men, 25 women, and 13 minors aged 4-17, with many from Punjab and Gujarat, India.
• 18,000 Indian nationals are identified for deportation; 1,700 were apprehended at US borders between 2022 and November 2024.

On February 5, 2025, India received its first group of deported illegal immigrants from the United States, marking a notable development in efforts to manage unauthorized migration. A US military aircraft carrying 104 Indian nationals landed at Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport in Amritsar, Punjab 🇮🇳. This flight utilized a military plane, the C-17 Globemaster, which stopped to refuel at Germany’s Ramstein Air Base before reaching its destination. Typically, deportations of this nature were conducted via commercial flights, making this instance a new approach.

Who Were the Deportees?

India Receives First Group of Illegal Immigrants Deported by US

The 104 deportees represented a mix of individuals from various regions of India. Out of these, 30 were from Punjab, 33 from Haryana, another 33 from Gujarat, three from Uttar Pradesh, three from Maharashtra, and two from Chandigarh. The group included 79 men, 25 women, and 13 minors aged between 4 and 17. The youngest child deported was four years old, while the oldest was Gurwinder Singh, a 44-year-old man from Mumbai.

Breaking down the group from Punjab 🇮🇳, it becomes apparent just how widespread this issue is in the state. Six individuals hailed from Kapurthala, five from Amritsar itself, and four each from Jalandhar and Patiala. The remaining individuals were from regions like Ludhiana, SBS Nagar, Gurdaspur, Sangrur, SAS Nagar, Fatehgarh Sahib, and Tarn Taran. This dispersion highlights that illegal migration is not localized to one or two areas but has become a broader phenomenon.

The Context of Deportations

This deportation is part of a larger effort by the US government, under the stewardship of the Trump administration, to repatriate individuals living in the country without legal documentation. Reports suggest that approximately 18,000 Indian nationals have been identified for deportation, with the majority of them believed to be from Punjab 🇮🇳 and Gujarat 🇮🇳. However, the total number of unauthorized Indian immigrants living in the US is unclear. According to the Pew Research Center, there are approximately 725,000 illegal Indian immigrants in the US, making them the third-largest group after those from Mexico and El Salvador.

These numbers underscore the magnitude of unauthorized migration from India. Between 2022 and November 2024, US Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) reported 1,700 Indian nationals being apprehended while trying to illegally enter the country. Over the years, these figures have risen significantly — with 409 apprehensions recorded in 2022, 730 in 2023, and 517 in 2024 by November. A concerning aspect of these numbers is the inclusion of minors, as 42 children were among those detained during this period.

Many of these individuals reportedly entered the US using dangerous means, such as the “donkey route.” This illegal migration method involves a costly and often risky journey through countries in South and Central America to reach the US border. The high sums of money that migrants must pay to human traffickers, and the risks they undertake, reflect both the desperation and willingness of individuals trying to seek a new life abroad.

India’s Stance and International Cooperation

The Indian government, led by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, has openly supported the legitimate repatriation of its nationals residing illegally overseas. India has stated its readiness to accept deported individuals, provided their identities are properly verified. This cooperative approach aligns with India’s broader policy of discouraging illegal migration, which is often linked to organized crime, human trafficking, and other unlawful activities.

On January 24, 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs reiterated this position, affirming India’s willingness to facilitate the return of its citizens residing without proper documentation, whether in the US or elsewhere. Ensuring an individual’s nationality is verified before acceptance reflects India’s commitment to maintaining process integrity and ensuring the rightful repatriation of its citizens.

The US Immigration Policy Shift

The Trump administration’s immigration policies have focused on stricter enforcement measures and deportation of undocumented individuals. President Trump described the use of military aircraft, like the C-17 Globemaster, as a historic moment, emphasizing its symbolic importance in demonstrating the government’s resolve to enforce immigration laws. As he remarked, “For the first time in history, we are locating and loading illegal aliens into military aircraft and flying them back to the places from which they came.”

While commercial and chartered flights have traditionally been used for deportation, the operation involving a military plane signals a more assertive and resource-intensive approach to tackling illegal immigration. According to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the use of such aircraft aims to send a clear message to others considering unlawful entry into the United States. The deportation flight also involved 11 crew members and 45 US officials who supervised the process, indicating the complexity and seriousness with which the operation was conducted.

Reactions and Implications

The arrival of the deportees in Amritsar 🇮🇳 was met with heightened security. The Indian authorities set up systems to process the individuals and ensure their safe return to their communities. However, such mass deportations come with significant challenges. Many deportees, especially minors, may face difficulties reintegrating into their home country after having spent years, or even most of their lives, abroad. For younger children, India may feel unfamiliar, especially if they were raised in American cultural settings.

The issue also has humanitarian aspects. Punjab NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal expressed disapproval of these deportations, claiming that many of these individuals had contributed to the US economy. He argued that these immigrants should have been granted permanent residency rather than being sent back.

The broader timing of the deportations is also noteworthy, coinciding with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Washington. The move is likely intended to emphasize the Trump administration’s commitment to enforcing US immigration laws. However, it also raises questions about how these developments will influence diplomatic conversations between the two countries, both of which have shared interests in trade, security, and regional stability.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

The age distribution of the deportees highlights the stakes involved in these deportations. Of the 104 individuals, 48 were under the age of 25, suggesting that many were young adults likely seeking better economic or educational opportunities. The return of these individuals represents not just a logistical process but also a test of India’s ability to support their reintegration and address the underlying reasons that drive migration in the first place.

The inclusion of 13 minors among the deportees has sparked concerns about family separation and the emotional toll on children. This raises questions about the broader societal impact of such policies, particularly when young children are involved in drastic changes to their lives.

While diplomatic and logistical cooperation continues between India and the US, the reception of further deportees will likely remain a topic of interest and debate. As large numbers of individuals are expected to follow, smooth coordination between the two nations will become even more critical. Both governments must strike a balance between enforcing laws, maintaining justice, and upholding humanitarian values.

Conclusion

This first deportation marks a major event in the ongoing immigration discussion between India and the US. The use of a C-17 Globemaster to transport illegal immigrants sends a strong statement about the Trump administration’s strict stance on unauthorized migration. At the same time, it highlights the challenges faced by the deportees, as well as their families and communities in India 🇮🇳.

Both countries now face the test of demonstrating their commitment to fair, humane, and effective immigration policies. With further deportations expected, the unfolding process will undoubtedly influence global perspectives on immigration, border control, and international collaboration.

For more comprehensive information on US immigration policies and official updates, you can visit the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website. Additionally, current developments surrounding immigration topics like these are regularly reported on platforms like VisaVerge.com. The evolving situation will undoubtedly continue to draw attention from governments, communities, and global advocates alike.

Learn Today

Deportation → The forced removal of individuals from a country where they reside unlawfully, returning them to their home country.
C-17 Globemaster → A large military transport aircraft used for strategic airlift operations, including cargo and personnel transportation.
Donkey Route → An illegal migration route involving dangerous journeys through multiple countries, often facilitated by human traffickers for high fees.
Undocumented Immigrants → Individuals residing in a country without the necessary legal authorization or proper documentation.
Repatriation → The process of returning individuals to their country of origin, typically after residing abroad unlawfully or as refugees.

This Article in a Nutshell

India’s first mass deportation from the US on February 5, 2025, saw 104 nationals, including 13 minors, return via military aircraft. This unprecedented move highlights stricter US immigration policies under Trump. While India faces reintegration challenges, the deportation underscores the urgent need for humane approaches to tackle unauthorized migration’s global complexities.
— By VisaVerge.com