A third batch of 112 illegal Indian immigrants deported from the United States landed at Amritsar Airport on Sunday night, marking yet another round of forced repatriations as part of the Trump administration’s ongoing crackdown on illegal migration. This follows the arrival of 119 deportees on Saturday night, bringing the total number of returnees over the weekend to 231.
Escalating Deportations and Harsh Conditions
Reports suggest that US’ deportations will continue until all illegal immigrants are returned to their home countries. However, the process has been marred by allegations of inhumane treatment. Deportees have reported being shackled during transit and denied proper food, raising concerns over their rights.
The demographic breakdown of the 119 individuals deported on Saturday night shows that 67 were from Punjab, 33 from Haryana, eight from Gujarat, three from Uttar Pradesh, two each from Goa, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, and one each from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. Similarly, the 112 deportees who arrived on Sunday comprised 44 individuals from Haryana, 33 from Gujarat, 31 from Punjab, two from Uttar Pradesh, and one each from Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Punjab Government’s Response
In response to the mass deportations, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann reassured the public that the returnees would be treated with dignity. “Our kids are coming back home. No one will go hungry, and we have made necessary arrangements for their stay and transportation to their respective states,” he stated at a press conference in Amritsar.
Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that the administration had taken care of all immediate needs, including food, diapers, and formula for infants. “Immigration processing is underway, and arrangements for their journey home have been finalized,” she said.
Several deportees from Punjab alleged that they were asked to remove their turbans by U.S. immigration officials, with one individual claiming his turban was discarded in a dustbin. The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) showed solidarity with the deported youth and intervened at the last moment, ensuring that those arriving without turbans were provided with siropas upon their return.
Political Controversy Over Choice of Amritsar
The choice of Amritsar as the arrival point for deported Indian immigrants has sparked a political firestorm in Punjab. Chief Minister Mann questioned why the deportees were not flown into the national capital instead. “What is the criterion for choosing Amritsar? The Centre and the Ministry of External Affairs should clarify. This appears to be an attempt to defame Punjab and Punjabis,” he alleged.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress have both countered Mann’s remarks, accusing AAP of politicizing the issue.
India’s Stance on Illegal Migration
Addressing the deportations during his February 13 meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India’s willingness to take back its nationals who were living illegally in the U.S. However, he underscored the urgent need to dismantle human trafficking networks that mislead people into illegal immigration.
“There is an ecosystem that thrives on this racket, and it is the responsibility of both countries to dismantle it. India is ready to cooperate with the U.S. in identifying and dismantling these networks through institutional collaboration between law enforcement agencies,” said Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
PM Modi further emphasized that most illegal immigrants are ordinary individuals who were deceived by traffickers. “They are shown big dreams and misled. Our fight should be against the entire system of human trafficking. We are confident that President Trump will support India in eliminating this ecosystem,” he asserted.
Manbilas Singh is a talented writer and journalist who focuses on the finer details in every story and values integrity above everything. A self-proclaimed sleuth, he strives to expose the fine print behind seemingly mundane activities and aims to uncover the truth that is hidden from the general public. In his time away from work, he is a music aficionado and a nerd who revels in video & board games, books and Formula 1.
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