A US military aircraft carrying 104 Indian nationals deported as part of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration has landed in Amritsar, India. The C-17 military transport aircraft, which took off from Texas, marks the first large-scale deportation of Indians under the latest US immigration enforcement policy.
According to sources, each deported Indian onboard the flight underwent verification in coordination with Indian authorities, signaling New Delhi’s direct involvement in the repatriation process. This operation is expected to be the first of many such flights returning undocumented Indian immigrants from the US.
Trump’s Second-Term Immigration Crackdown Intensifies
Since assuming office for his second term, President Donald Trump has escalated measures against illegal immigration, aggressively enforcing deportations. His administration has previously used military aircraft to deport migrants from countries such as Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras, and is now turning its focus on Indian nationals residing illegally in the US.
Reports suggest that India and the US have identified around 18,000 Indian migrants who entered the United States without proper documentation. The latest deportation comes amid news of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to the US next week, his first trip since Trump’s re-election.
India’s Stance on Illegal Immigration
India has reiterated its commitment to taking back undocumented Indian nationals under established diplomatic protocols. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar affirmed New Delhi’s stance, stating that India is open to the legitimate return of its nationals living abroad illegally, provided their nationality is verified.
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The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also stressed its strict opposition to illegal immigration, citing its links to organized crime and human trafficking. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated: “For Indians not just in the United States, but anywhere in the world, if they are overstaying or residing without proper documentation, we will take them back—provided we can verify their nationality.”
Trump Administration’s Hardline Approach
President Trump has remained vocal about his immigration policies, stating last month: “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.”
A spokesperson for the US Embassy in New Delhi reiterated that the US government is “vigorously enforcing its borders, tightening immigration laws, and removing illegal migrants.”
The spokesperson further emphasized: “These actions send a clear message: illegal migration is not worth the risk.”
With thousands of undocumented Indian migrants facing deportation under the US government’s stricter immigration policies, more such repatriation flights are anticipated in the coming months. The situation raises concerns for many Indian families with undocumented members in the US, as well as for US-India diplomatic relations, which will likely address the issue during PM Modi’s upcoming visit to Washington.
As both nations navigate the complexities of immigration enforcement and diplomatic ties, the fate of thousands of Indian nationals awaiting deportation remains uncertain. However, one thing is clear—illegal immigration policies under Trump’s presidency will continue to impact Indian migrants significantly.
