Fourth Flight of Indian Deportees from US Lands in Amritsar

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Key Takeaways

• A fourth deportation flight landed in Amritsar, bringing an undisclosed number of Indians among over 1,000 deported in 2025.
• US deportation policy shifted to military-operated flights, expediting removals; prior flights carried 104-119 passengers each.
• Deportees, mostly young men aged 18-30, face identity verification and transportation home; families struggle with financial and emotional impacts.

A fourth flight carrying Indian deportees from the United States landed in Amritsar 🇮🇳 on February 18, 2025, extending the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to address illegal immigration. This marks the latest in a series of deportations, with the previous three flights having collectively returned 335 Indian nationals over the past two weeks. These flights form part of a larger initiative by the United States to use expedited processes to manage cases of undocumented migration.

The flight, which arrived around 10:00 PM local time, used the C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft operated by the US military. While the number of deportees on this flight has not yet been confirmed, earlier flights have carried between 104 and 119 individuals. Unlike prior deportation methods that relied on commercial airlines, these military flights underline a shift in operational tactics.

Fourth Flight of Indian Deportees from US Lands in Amritsar

Deportees and Demographics

The group of deportees on this flight is expected to include mostly individuals from northern Indian states such as Punjab and Haryana, based on patterns seen in previous deportations. There are also likely to be some individuals from other regions, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. Most of the deported individuals are young, between 18 and 30 years of age, with men making up the majority. Some of the prior flights included women and minors, including small children, reflecting the varied profiles of those who undertake dangerous immigration routes.

Arrival Processing and Transportation

Upon reaching Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ram Das International Airport, the deportees undergo thorough checks to verify their identities. This process includes document verification and background reviews conducted by immigration officials. Local authorities have set up systems for helping deportees return to their respective home states. Those from Punjab and Haryana are typically transported by road. However, those from farther regions like Gujarat and Maharashtra are more often provided air transportation to reach their destinations. This coordination ensures smooth reintegration into their local communities, although the return is not without significant emotional and logistical challenges for both the deportees and their families.

Allegations of Mistreatment Spark Outrage

The deportation process has drawn criticism in India, especially regarding the treatment of deportees during their flights. Reports suggest that some individuals on previous flights were handcuffed or shackled, sparking strong reactions from human rights activists and politicians. Critics argue that these measures are humiliating and unnecessary. Indian officials, led by Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, brought this matter to the attention of US authorities. In response, US officials clarified that the use of restraints followed standard protocols for adult deportees while assuring that such measures were not applied to women or children.

Despite these assurances, emotional and political reactions in India continue to intensify. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has called out what he perceives as the federal government’s lack of strong objections to these incidents. He linked the deportations to broader questions about India’s global standing, particularly in light of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent meetings with President Trump. Opposition members have echoed these concerns, accusing the government of not sufficiently addressing the dignity of Indian citizens abroad.

Fallout for Families and Communities

The financial and emotional toll of these deportations is staggering for many families. To fund their journeys to the United States, many deportees had taken on enormous debts, often mortgaging homes, land, or jewelry. These financial sacrifices ranged between 30 and 50 lakh rupees (around $36,000 to $60,000), involving unregulated agents who promised guaranteed entry into America by illegal routes. The sudden return of these individuals has left numerous families in debt with little hope of recouping their losses.

Daler Singh, a deportee from Salempur village in Punjab, provides a grim example. A father of two and a former bus driver, Singh invested 30 lakh rupees to secure passage to the US. His family lost contact with him for 15 days before they discovered he had been deported. For families like Singh’s, such experiences bring not just financial hardship but also immense emotional strain.

The ‘Dunki’ Route and Exploitation Risk

Many of the deportees used what is commonly known as the ‘dunki’ or ‘donkey’ route—an illegal and perilous path for immigration that typically involves crossing several countries before attempting entry into the US. This method exposes migrants to enormous safety risks and often fuels human trafficking networks. Both the Indian and US governments have drawn attention to the dangers associated with such unauthorized migration routes.

Indian officials have promised action against traffickers and unlicensed agents who exploit people seeking better job and lifestyle opportunities abroad. Foreign Minister Jaishankar has emphasized that cracking down on human trafficking networks is critical to reducing illegal immigration. However, this task remains immense, given the systemic factors that drive individuals to take such desperate steps.

US Immigration Policy Shift

These deportations are part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to prioritize immigration enforcement. By shifting to military-operated flights rather than commercial ones, the US has increased efficiency in removing undocumented migrants. According to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, deportation flights send a clear warning to others considering illegal entry into the country. The State Department argues that such visible actions act as a deterrent, discouraging similar attempts in the future.

As of early 2025, over 1,000 Indian nationals have been deported from the United States within the past year. The frequency and efficiency of these actions underline a shift in US policy, moving away from piecemeal deportations to large-scale, organized initiatives.

What Lies Ahead?

The current wave of deportations highlights the multifaceted challenges posed by undocumented migration. On one hand, these flights showcase the Trump administration’s stiffening stance on illegal immigration. On the other, they place enormous pressure on India’s domestic systems to process and rehabilitate returning deportees. The central government, while acknowledging the problem of illegal immigration, faces criticism for not addressing the underlying pull factors that motivate people to migrate, such as job scarcity and limited income opportunities.

Families and communities affected by these returns now face steep challenges. Those who mortgaged assets or borrowed heavily to support their migration ventures now face long-term financial difficulties. Social stigmas also affect some deportees, who are seen as having failed in their attempts to secure a better life abroad.

Conclusion

The landing of the fourth deportation flight in Amritsar 🇮🇳 underscores the intricate challenges surrounding global migration and immigration policy. For the United States, this scenario illustrates a firm commitment to curbing illegal entry into the country, driven by enhanced enforcement strategies. For India, however, it adds new layers of complexity, from protecting citizens abroad to addressing the root causes of outmigration.

The deportation cases also serve as a cautionary tale for individuals considering illegal immigration methods such as the ‘dunki’ route. Tackling this ongoing issue will require not just diplomatic efforts between the two countries but also substantial action against traffickers and systems that exploit vulnerable individuals.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the evolving deportation process signals a need for innovative legal frameworks and collaborative international efforts to ensure fair and ethical practices in managing migration-related issues. Meanwhile, families and communities affected by deportation deal with the human cost and emotional toll—a sobering reminder that migration policies are not merely political but deeply personal matters that touch lives in profound ways.

For official information about US immigration processes, visit USCIS, the official United States Citizenship and Immigration Services website.

Learn Today

Deportees → Individuals who are forcibly returned to their home country from another country due to immigration violations.
Expedited processes → Fast-tracked administrative procedures to quickly resolve legal or bureaucratic matters, often used in immigration enforcement.
Dunki route → Informal term for illegal and risky immigration pathways involving multiple countries, often linked to trafficking networks.
Human trafficking → The illegal trade of humans for forced labor, exploitation, or illegal migration, often through coercion or deception.
Reintegration → The process of helping deported individuals adapt and re-establish themselves in their home communities after returning.

This Article in a Nutshell

A U.S. military flight deporting Indian nationals landed in Amritsar, highlighting stricter immigration policies under Trump’s administration. Many deportees used dangerous ‘dunki’ routes, leaving families burdened by massive debts. While the U.S. aims to deter illegal migration, India confronts reintegration challenges and demands better protections for citizens abroad—underscoring migration’s human and financial costs.
— By VisaVerge.com