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USA deports 205 Indian illegal status migrants amid immigration crackdown

As per reports the C-17 plane took off from San Antonio, Texas, bound for Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport in Amritsar, Punjab, marking the beginning of a new phase in US deportation policies.

In a historic first, the United States has deported 205 Indian nationals using a military aircraft as part of President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown.

As per reports the C-17 plane took off from San Antonio, Texas, bound for Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport in Amritsar, Punjab, marking the beginning of a new phase in US deportation policies.

Trump, who introduced military deportation flights last week under his emergency immigration order, defended the move, stating,

“For the first time in history, we are locating and loading illegal aliens into military aircraft and flying them back to the places from which they came.”

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India and the US have identified around 18,000 Indian nationals living in the US without legal status as reflected in the list entitled “Noncitizens on the ICE Non-Detained Docket with Final Orders of Removal by Country of Citizenship.” 

Past year alone saw the deportation of over 1,100 Indian migrants, with illegal crossings by Indians reaching a record 90,415 attempts—primarily via the northern border.

Following a call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump expressed confidence in India’s cooperation, stating,

“He (Modi) will do what’s right when it comes to taking back illegal Indian immigrants from America.”

Indians remain the largest recipients of skilled worker visas in the US. In 2023, nearly 78% of all H-1B visas were granted to Indian nationals, underscoring their critical role in STEM industries.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has remained cautious, with spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stating that “it would be premature to talk about the number of undocumented Indians.” However, he reaffirmed India’s stance:

“If any of our citizens are there illegally and if we are sure they are our citizens, we have always been open to their legitimate return to India.”

Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, reinforced the administration’s tough stance, calling it the “largest mass deportation operation in American history.” She stated that any foreign national who entered the U.S. illegally is, by definition, a criminal and subject to deportation. While priority is given to those with criminal records, no undocumented immigrant is exempt.

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Additionally, the US Embassy in India reiterated its tough stance, stating to ANI,

“The United States is vigorously enforcing its border, tightening immigration laws, and removing illegal migrants. These actions send a clear message: illegal migration is not worth the risk.”

With Trump’s second term intensifying immigration enforcement, this deportation is likely the first of many. Reports indicate that India will continue verifying the identity of deported nationals before accepting their return.

Apart from Indians, hundreds of Australians, Kiwis, and Fijians are also among the estimated 1.4 million undocumented migrants facing deportation from the US, as President Donald Trump pushes forward with his hardline immigration policy.

Since Trump’s inauguration, ICE has arrested over 3,500 undocumented immigrants, launching deportation flights to their home countries. While the White House insists that the primary focus is on individuals with criminal records, visa overstayers are also at risk. Many Fijians in the U.S., particularly those working in caregiving roles, now live in fear, uncertain of when or if they will be forced to return home.

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