New Delhi:
In a significant escalation of his immigration policies, US President Donald Trump has initiated the deportation of Indian nationals from the United States, marking a new frontier in his administration’s hardline stance against undocumented migrants. A US military C-17 aircraft, carrying 205 Indian nationals, took off from San Antonio, Texas, around 3 am IST on February 4, 2025, bound for India. This flight is the first of its kind to India and underscores the extensive reach of Trump’s emergency declaration on immigration.
This deportation is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to address the estimated 11 million undocumented migrants in the United States. Trump has consistently vowed to deport millions of migrants, and this latest move aligns with his campaign promises and recent policy actions. India and the US have jointly identified approximately 18,000 Indian nationals residing in the US without legal status, setting the stage for potential future deportations.
The C-17 aircraft, which departed from San Antonio, is a milestone in the Trump administration’s use of military resources for immigration enforcement. Previous military flights have deported migrants to Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras, but this is the first time India has been a destination. The Pentagon has announced plans to deport over 5,000 migrants from El Paso, Texas, and San Diego, California, highlighting the scale of the operation.
Trump’s emergency declaration on immigration has led to the launch of military deportation flights, a move that has been both controversial and costly. Last week, the administration sent several planeloads of migrants to Latin America, with some flights encountering resistance from host countries. For instance, Colombia refused to allow two US C-17 cargo aircraft to land, instead sending its own planes to collect the migrants.
The use of military aircraft for deportations is a new and expensive approach. A recent flight to Guatemala cost at least $4,675 per migrant, significantly higher than the cost of commercial charter flights used by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This financial burden is part of a larger strategy that includes deploying troops to the US-Mexico border and using military bases to house migrants.
In addition to these deportation efforts, Trump has also implemented economic measures aimed at curbing the flow of undocumented migrants and drugs. The administration has announced tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, with plans for similar measures in Europe. Both Mexico and Canada have secured temporary reprieves from these tariff hikes by committing to enhanced border security measures.
The US Congress has supported Trump’s immigration agenda, approving a bill shortly after his inauguration that requires the detention and deportation of undocumented migrants charged with certain crimes. This legislative backing has bolstered the administration’s efforts to enforce strict immigration policies.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to visit the US on February 12, the issue of immigration is likely to be a significant topic of discussion. The Indian government has agreed to take back its citizens residing illegally in the US, reflecting a collaborative approach between the two nations on this critical issue.
