63 of 100+ Indian deportees are from Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab
What's the story
A group of Indian nationals, who were illegally residing in the United States, arrived at Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport in Amritsar on Wednesday. They were deported by the Trump administration from San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday. The deportees traveled on a US C-17 military aircraft, along with 11 crew members and 45 US government officials.
Deportee demographics
Deportees primarily from Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana
Most of the deported people are reportedly from Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana. There are 33 people each from Gujarat and Haryana, accounting for nearly 32% each of the first batch of deportees. Punjab is next with 30 citizens being deported. The rest are mostly from Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Chandigarh. The deportees include 79 men and 25 women aged between a four-year-old child and a 46-year-old man from Haryana.
Reception readiness
Punjab government prepared to receive deportees
Punjab's Director General of Police (DGP), Gaurav Yadav, earlier said the state government was ready to receive the deportees "in a friendly manner" and had established processing counters at the airport. He added, "Anyone who is wanted by us and against whom a lookout circular has been issued will be arrested at the airport itself by the central agencies." However, he said there is no sign of any hardcore criminals among those being deported.
Deportation criticism
Punjab NRI Affairs Minister criticizes deportation decision
Meanwhile, Punjab NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal expressed disappointment over the US government's decision to deport the individuals. He criticized the move by stating that these individuals "have contributed to the US economy and should have been granted permanent residency instead of being deported." Dhaliwal plans to meet with India's external affairs minister to discuss concerns regarding Punjabis living in the US.
Immigration crackdown
Deportation follows Trump's crackdown on illegal immigrants
The deportation comes amid a crackdown on illegal immigrants after Donald Trump assumed his second term as US President. Many Punjabis had reportedly entered the US through illegal routes like the "donkey route," shelling out huge sums of money. A travel agent told the New Indian Express that one may end up paying in the range of ₹45-50 lakh to reach the US without any guarantee of making it.
Future deportations
More Indian nationals may face similar deportations
This flight is part of an ongoing crackdown by US authorities on illegal immigration. Reportedly, more Indian nationals could be deported on similar flights in the future. India ranks third among the countries contributing to unauthorized immigrants in the US, according to Pew Research data (2019-2022). The number of illegal Indian immigrants reportedly dropped from 480,000 in 2018 to 220,000 in 2022, per the US Department of Homeland Security.