Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has confirmed that 15 Indian nationals are being deported from Australia and are expected to arrive in India tonight, with the majority — 11 individuals — from Punjab.
According to Mann, the group includes 10 men and one woman from Punjab, while the remaining deportees are from Haryana, Uttarakhand and Telangana. He said the deportations were likely due to improper documentation or related technical issues.
Mann emphasised that the deportees would be received at Delhi airport and supported through necessary formalities. He also struck a compassionate tone, stating that regardless of how they travelled abroad, “they are our own children” and deserve support as they return home.
The Punjab government plans to gather further details from the deportees, including how their travel documents were arranged and whether agents were involved. Mann indicated that action could follow if irregularities are uncovered, potentially in coordination with India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
The Chief Minister also used the moment to urge young people to consider opportunities within India rather than risking uncertain migration pathways abroad. He highlighted the need for stronger local employment generation to prevent such situations in the future.
Meanwhile, deportation trends in Canada also highlight a broader tightening of immigration enforcement. Data from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) shows that between January and March 2026, authorities removed 5,260 individuals found inadmissible, including 1,712 Indian nationals.
As of mid-April, there were 6,980 people in the “removal in progress” inventory across the top 10 citizenship groups, underscoring the scale of ongoing deportation actions involving migrants from India and other countries.
Mann reiterated that the focus now is on ensuring a dignified return and reintegration for those arriving, while also addressing the systemic issues that led to their migration in the first place.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
