National/International Desk
15 February
Ludhiana
Sandeep Dhand
A US military cargo plane carrying 119 Indian nationals is set to land at Amritsar International Airport today. This is the second such deportation flight as part of the US government’s ongoing crackdown on undocumented immigrants.
According to sources, those deported include 67 individuals from Punjab, 33 from Haryana, 8 from Gujarat, 3 from Uttar Pradesh, 2 each from Rajasthan and Maharashtra, and 1 each from Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. These individuals were sent back as part of US immigration authorities’ action against those who either entered the country illegally or overstayed their visas.
The deportation comes shortly after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US, where he met President Donald Trump to discuss key bilateral issues, including immigration.
The use of handcuffs and shackles on deported individuals has sparked controversy in India. Critics argue that such treatment is inhumane, especially for those whose only offense was an immigration violation.
However, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) defended its actions, stating that standard security protocols were followed during deportation flights. Despite these justifications, human rights advocates and opposition leaders in India have condemned the practice, calling for diplomatic intervention to ensure dignified treatment of deported individuals.
This latest deportation highlights the challenges faced by Indian migrants seeking better opportunities abroad and raises questions about immigration policies and human rights concerns.