People watch as a US military plane carrying deported Indian immigrants lands in Amritsar, India, on Wednesday. CNN
A total of 104 Indian citizens were deported from the United States on Tuesday night aboard a military aircraft, according to officials in Punjab. The deportees, mostly from Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Punjab, arrived in India on Wednesday afternoon when the C-17 aircraft landed in Amritsar.
This marks the longest-distance deportation flight since the US began using military planes to transport migrants under President Donald Trump’s strict immigration policies. The move is part of a broader effort to curb illegal migration, which has been a key focus of his administration.
Many of those deported had spent large sums of money to reach the US, only to be detained and sent back soon after arrival. Families of the returnees expressed their struggles and disappointments over the failed attempts to settle in America.
Manriasat Singh, whose 23-year-old cousin Akashdeep Singh was among the deported individuals, shared his cousin’s experience. Akashdeep had spent around $60,000 on the journey to the US, with his father selling nearly two-thirds of their land to fund the trip. However, upon reaching the US in January, he was quickly detained and eventually deported.
"His parents are relieved that he didn’t end up in jail for years," Manriasat said. "At least he is alive and home."
A Growing Migration Crisis
Akashdeep’s case is not isolated. In recent years, there has been a sharp rise in Indian migrants entering the US illegally. According to US government data, the number of Indians crossing illegally surged from 8,027 in the 2018-2019 fiscal year to a staggering 96,917 in 2022-2023.
A significant portion of these migrants are young Indians seeking better economic opportunities. Many take perilous routes through Latin America to reach the US-Mexico border, hoping for a better future.
Lakbhir Singh, a former village leader in Punjab, spoke about the desperation among young people in his region. One of the deportees was from his village, and Lakbhir noted that the man’s family had spent their savings to send him abroad, only to see him return empty-handed.
“Young people want a good life,” he said. “Instead of flashing their names and villages on television, the government should address the real issue—why so many are willing to risk everything to leave.”
Calls for Action
The Indian government has stated that it will accept the deported citizens, but there are growing calls for stronger measures to address the root causes of migration. Punjab State Minister for Non-Resident Indian Affairs, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, urged the Indian government to take diplomatic action.
“I request Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak with US President Donald Trump and find a solution to this growing issue,” Dhaliwal said.
As deportations continue, the debate over migration, employment opportunities, and international relations remains a pressing concern for both countries.
