New Delhi:
In a significant move that underscores the stringent immigration policies of the Trump administration, a US military aircraft has deported 205 Indian nationals who had illegally entered the United States. This deportation, which took place on February 4, 2025, marks the first such action under Donald Trump’s second term and coincides with the upcoming visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US.
The deportation is part of Trump’s hardline stance against illegal immigration, a policy that has been a cornerstone of his administration. India and the US have identified approximately 18,000 Indian migrants living illegally in the US, highlighting the cooperative efforts between the two countries on immigration issues.
A US military C-17 aircraft transported the 205 Indian nationals from Texas to Amritsar, India. The deported individuals were primarily from Punjab and neighboring states in India. This action is the first deportation of Indian nationals to India since Donald Trump’s return to the White House and aligns with his policy of using military aircraft for such deportations, a method previously employed for deportations to Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has reiterated its opposition to illegal immigration, citing its links to organized crime. The ministry has assured that it will take back Indian citizens living illegally abroad after verifying their nationality. This stance is consistent with the broader cooperation between India and the US on immigration matters.
The US has a history of deporting Indian nationals, with over 1,100 Indians deported between October 2023 and September 2024. This recent deportation is part of a larger trend that reflects the increasing vigilance of US immigration authorities. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor emphasized that such deportations are not new and will likely continue, noting that even during the Biden administration, significant numbers of Indians were deported.
The deportation comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US on February 13, where immigration is expected to be a key topic of discussion. Trump and Modi had a recent phone call in which Modi assured Trump that India would take back its illegal immigrants. This assurance underscores the diplomatic efforts to address the issue of illegal migration.
Local officials in Punjab are preparing reception arrangements for the returnees at Amritsar airport, ensuring a smooth transition for those being deported. The US, meanwhile, is tightening its immigration laws and removing illegal migrants as part of its enhanced border enforcement policies.
The deportation highlights the broader challenges faced by Indian migrants seeking to enter the US. With the US estimating that 7,25,000 undocumented Indians are eligible for deportation, the issue is far from resolved. The Trump administration’s stance on immigration has also impacted legal pathways, with many Indians facing job offer withdrawals, visa delays, and warnings of potential layoffs, particularly in the context of H1B visas.
