New Delhi:
In a significant escalation of the U.S. crackdown on illegal immigration, a U.S. military aircraft landed in Amritsar, India, on Wednesday, marking the first mass deportation of Indian migrants under President Donald Trump’s administration. The flight, which carried 104 deportees, including women and minors, highlights the harsh realities faced by those seeking the American dream through illicit means.
The deportation comes on the eve of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington, where immigration is set to be a pivotal topic in discussions with President Trump. The migrants, who had attempted to enter the U.S. illegally, endured grueling journeys and substantial financial hardships, often deceived by human traffickers promising legal entry.
The deportees, hailing from various Indian states such as Haryana, Gujarat, Punjab, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Chandigarh, were shackled and restrained during the flight. Among them were 19 women and 13 minors, including a four-year-old boy and two girls aged five and seven. Their stories are a testament to the desperation and deception that characterize many illegal immigration attempts.
Jaspal Singh, a 36-year-old from Punjab’s Gurdaspur, paid Rs 30 lakh to an agent who promised him legal passage to the U.S. Instead, he was forced to take the perilous “donkey route,” a treacherous path used by traffickers. Harwinder Singh from Hoshiarpur paid an even steeper price, Rs 42 lakh, and traversed multiple countries including Qatar, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Panama, Nicaragua, and Mexico before being arrested by U.S. Border Patrol.
The migrants’ experiences were marked by extreme hardship, including walking for days, crossing mountains, and nearly drowning at sea. Many families took out massive loans or mortgaged their homes, expecting their loved ones to secure well-paying jobs in the U.S., only to see their dreams shattered.
The deportation is part of President Trump’s stringent immigration policies, which frame illegal immigration as an invasion. The use of military aircraft for such operations sends a strong message of deterrence and marks a shift from the traditional use of commercial flights. The operational cost of the C-17 transport aircraft is estimated to be significantly high, likely exceeding the cost of commercial flights.
India has cooperated fully with the U.S., verifying the nationality of the deportees and facilitating their return. However, the deportation has sparked controversy in India, with both Houses of Parliament adjourned due to the issue. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Prime Minister Modi amid the controversy, underscoring the political sensitivity of the matter.
