Deportation Flights at Amritsar Spark Debate Over Punjab's Migration Crisis

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Key Takeaways

In February 2025, 332 deportees arrived in Amritsar, with 126 (38%) from Punjab, despite Punjab having 2.3% of India’s population.
Deportees from Punjab reportedly paid an average of ₹34 lakh each to agents, totaling ₹43 crore, highlighting financial exploitation in illegal immigration.
Punjab Police formed an SIT, filing 20 FIRs and arresting 3 agents by February 19, 2025, targeting human trafficking networks.

Government sources have defended using Amritsar airport in Punjab as the landing point for deportation flights carrying illegal Indian immigrants from the United States. According to these sources, the main reason is that Punjab contributes the largest share of deportees. This clarification comes in response to criticism, including statements from Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who accused the central government of labeling Punjab as a “deportation center.”

The flights and the deportees onboard have drawn attention to the ongoing issue of illegal immigration from India to the United States. In February 2025, three flights arrived in Amritsar carrying Indian nationals deported from the US. In total, these flights brought back 332 individuals. Of these, 126, or about 38%, were from Punjab, despite the state having just 2.3% of India’s population. For government officials, this disproportionate representation serves as justification for selecting Amritsar for these landings.

Deportation Flights at Amritsar Spark Debate Over Punjab’s Migration Crisis

Punjab’s Overrepresentation in Deportee Numbers

The details of the deportation flights further highlight Punjab’s significant share. The first flight, landing on February 5, carried 30 individuals from Punjab. The second, arriving on February 15, had 65. The final flight, which reached Amritsar on February 16, included 31 Punjabis. This repeated pattern underlines how Punjab leads in illegal immigration cases among Indian states. Following Punjab, the neighboring state of Haryana represented the second-largest group of deportees, with 112 individuals across the three flights.

This regional trend of illegal immigration, heavily concentrated in Punjab and Haryana, has raised concerns at both state and central levels. It has also triggered broader discussions on why certain states experience higher rates of illegal immigration and the implications this carries for both the individuals involved and the government.

Broader Crackdown on Illegal Immigration

The deportations from the US are part of a larger effort to tackle illegal immigration. During a bilateral meeting on February 14, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump discussed the issue at length. Prime Minister Modi spoke about dismantling networks that exploit vulnerable individuals with false promises of a better life abroad. He also reiterated India’s willingness to accept deported Indian nationals, provided their identities were verified.

The financial aspect of illegal immigration is both shocking and revealing. The 126 individuals deported from Punjab alone reportedly paid a staggering ₹43 crore to travel agents to finance their journeys. This amounts to an average of ₹34 lakh per person. These figures underscore how these operations take financial advantage of desperate individuals seeking better opportunities overseas.

The business of illegal immigration involves significant risks. Many immigrants are subjected to dangerous routes, such as the “dunki route,” a term used to describe illegal pathways into foreign countries. These routes often expose migrants to harsh conditions, detention, and eventual deportation. The failure to succeed not only creates emotional distress but also leaves families financially ruined, as many sell property or take loans to fund these journeys.

Punjab Police Takes Action

Recognizing the scale of the issue, the Punjab Police has launched investigations into the human trafficking schemes involved in these deportation cases. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed specifically to address this problem. By February 19, 2025, the SIT had registered 15 First Information Reports (FIRs) against various travel agents and made three arrests. Recent efforts have led to the filing of five additional FIRs in districts such as Tarn Taran, Moga, Sangrur, and SAS Nagar.

These investigations reveal the travel agents’ modus operandi: charging immense amounts of money in exchange for promises of safe, legal immigration options. Instead, these agents facilitate illegal methods, putting individuals in dangerous situations across foreign borders. Despite the heavy costs incurred by such ventures, success is not guaranteed, and failure typically results in deportation and long-term financial difficulties for those involved.

A Punjab Police official explained that illegal immigration has been a persistent issue for the state. Many families, desperate for economic betterment, take on massive financial burdens in the hope of facilitating immigration. On average, these expenses range between ₹30 lakh and ₹40 lakh, with no assurance of legal residency or employment abroad. For many, the final result is deportation, causing severe hardship both for the individuals and their families.

Challenges for Returnees

The plight of deportees does not end once they return to India. Many of these individuals have spent years abroad, trying to build a life, and returning home can present significant challenges. They often face stigmatization from their communities, financial difficulties due to the enormous costs they incurred for their immigration attempts, and limited job opportunities in India. The central government now faces the dual challenge of improving reintegration support for these individuals and preventing further illegal immigration.

National Dimensions of Illegal Immigration

Although Punjab’s high deportation numbers have drawn the most attention, illegal immigration is not limited to this state. Gujarat, for example, accounted for 74 of the 332 deportees who returned on these flights. This statistic shows that while Punjab is at the epicenter of this issue, illegal immigration is a nationwide concern. Other affected states must also address these challenges, pointing to the importance of a collective, nationwide approach to tackling the problem.

To underline its readiness to address illegal immigration, the Indian government has maintained a clear stance. In January 2025, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India is fully prepared to accept its nationals from overseas, provided proper verification procedures are followed. This position aligns with broader efforts to combat human trafficking and other forms of organized crime associated with illegal immigration.

The Path Ahead

More deportations are expected in the months to come as US immigration authorities continue to enforce stringent border controls. This means that flights landing in Amritsar and other states may become more frequent as India repatriates its citizens from the US. The ongoing focus on Punjab will likely persist, given the state’s outsized share of deportees. At the same time, other states with significant numbers of returnees, like Haryana and Gujarat, will also need to confront the underlying factors contributing to illegal immigration.

The larger question remains how state and central governments will respond to this crisis. Beyond cracking down on illegal travel networks, policymakers may need to explore longer-term solutions like improving employment opportunities and creating incentives for individuals to remain in their home regions. Without addressing these root causes, illegal immigration is unlikely to diminish, even with increased law enforcement efforts.

Conclusion

The Indian government’s defense of Amritsar as the designated landing site for deportee flights stems largely from statistical evidence. Punjab’s overrepresentation among deported Indian nationals makes the use of Amritsar airport both practical and efficient. However, the issue runs deeper than just numbers. Illegal immigration is a complex problem tied to human trafficking, economic disparities, and exploitation of those seeking a better future. More needs to be done to tackle the systems that enable such scenarios, whether through stricter action against fraudulent travel agents or initiatives aimed at economic development. As reported by VisaVerge.com, these steps will be crucial as India navigates the challenge of managing deportations while supporting those returning to restart their lives. For additional details on immigration enforcement and related policies, readers can visit the official Indian immigration website (https://www.mha.gov.in/).

Learn Today

Deportation → The forced removal of individuals from one country to their home or another country due to legal violations.
Human Trafficking → The illegal trade of people for exploitation, often involving coercion, deception, and misuse of vulnerability.
Dunki Route → A term describing unsafe, illegal immigration pathways used to enter foreign countries, often involving significant risks.
First Information Report (FIR) → The initial report registered by police, documenting details of a cognizable offense under investigation.
Reintegration → The process of helping individuals readjust to society after returning from challenging circumstances, like deportation.

This Article in a Nutshell

Punjab’s disproportionate share of deported Indian migrants from the US—38% despite housing 2.3% of India’s population—sparks debate. Amritsar’s designation as the landing hub highlights regional illegal immigration issues tied to exploitation by agents. Addressing economic disparities and human trafficking networks is crucial to curb this trend and support vulnerable returnees.
— By VisaVerge.com