AMRITSAR, India (AP) – A U.S. military plane arrived in Amritsar on February 5, 2025, carrying 104 deported Indian migrants, marking the first flight of its kind to India as part of a crackdown initiated by the Trump administration. Airport officials stated that these individuals had illegally entered the United States over the years and hailed from various states across India.
This deportation flight coincided with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anticipated visit to Washington, where discussions regarding immigration took place between U.S. President Donald Trump and Modi. During their recent phone call, Trump emphasized the need for India to increase its purchases of American-made security equipment and to establish fair bilateral trade practices.
India has expressed its willingness to cooperate with the U.S. on this matter, affirming its readiness to accept deported nationals following a verification process. The Indian government firmly opposes illegal immigration, linking it to organized crime. Consequently, New Delhi has not voiced objections to the U.S. deporting its citizens.
Randhir Jaiswal, spokesman for India’s External Affairs Ministry, indicated last month, “For Indians, not just in the United States but anywhere in the world, if they are Indian nationals and they are overstaying or they are in a particular country without proper documentation, we will take them back, provided documents are shared with us for verification.” He also added that if verification confirms their nationality, the Indian government would facilitate their return.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated earlier this week that deportation flights serve as an effective means to curtail illegal migration, describing it as both destructive and destabilizing. The State Department has conveyed that these deportations send a deterrent message to individuals contemplating illegal migration.
During a session in India’s Parliament, junior External Affairs Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh highlighted that between November 2023 and October 2024, a total of 519 Indian nationals were deported back to India, based on U.S. government data. He mentioned that the U.S. government conducts deportations through both commercial and chartered flights.
Reports indicate that approximately 725,000 undocumented Indians reside in the U.S., predominantly from the states of Punjab and Gujarat. In 2024, Indians constituted around 3% of all illegal border crossings in the U.S. The Indian Express detailed that as of November last year, there were 20,407 undocumented Indian nationals who were facing final removal orders or were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
This development highlights the ongoing complexities involving international immigration policies and the implications for Indian nationals residing in the United States without proper documentation. The Indian government’s approach to tackling illegal immigration and its collaboration with the U.S. government suggests a strategic alignment in addressing these issues, particularly amid discussions on broader trade and security concerns.
