First Deportation Flight Under Trump's Second Term Lands in India, Sparking Controversy

Deportation of Indian Immigrants from the US

A US military plane carrying over 100 Indian immigrants landed in Amritsar, India, marking the first such deportation flight under President Trump's second term. This development follows Prime Minister Modi's agreement to accept US deportations during a phone call with President Trump.

The deportees, identified from various states in India, arrived at the Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport. Authorities in Punjab have made arrangements for their reception and processing. Notably, 48 deportees are under the age of 25, including 12 minors and 25 women.

This deportation has sparked political controversy in India, with the opposition Congress Party criticizing the Modi government's silence on the issue. The party spokesperson expressed sadness at the sight of Indians being "humiliated" during deportation.

India has maintained its stance against illegal immigration, citing its links to organized crime. The government has assured cooperation with the US in accepting deported Indians after verification of their nationality.

This incident is not the first instance of Indian immigrants being deported from the US. Between November 2023 and October 2024, 519 Indian nationals were deported, according to US government data. The US estimates that around 18,000 undocumented Indians could be deported, while the Pew Research Center estimates the total number of undocumented Indian immigrants in the US at around 725,000.

The exact number of undocumented Indian immigrants in the US remains unknown, and more deportation flights are expected in the future.