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US deports 205 Indian migrants amid crackdown on illegal immigration, flight leaves for Amritsar

Largest Deportation Drive in US History Underway: India has one of largest populations of undocumented immigrants residing in US

Reported by:  PTC News Desk  Edited by:  Jasleen Kaur -- February 04th 2025 11:09 AM
US deports 205 Indian migrants amid crackdown on illegal immigration, flight leaves for Amritsar

US deports 205 Indian migrants amid crackdown on illegal immigration, flight leaves for Amritsar

PTC Web Desk: In a significant move reflecting the United States' intensified crackdown on illegal immigration, a military flight carrying 205 Indian nationals departed for Punjab’s Amritsar on Monday. The deportation comes as part of the Donald Trump administration’s broader initiative to remove undocumented immigrants from the country.

According to sources, the deportees were thoroughly verified before being placed on the flight. The C-17 military transport aircraft took off from San Antonio, Texas, and is expected to make a scheduled refueling stop at Ramstein Air Base in Germany before reaching India.


Former President Donald Trump had earlier pledged to implement the largest deportation drive in American history. The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has reportedly compiled an initial list of nearly 18,000 undocumented Indian nationals as part of its broader effort to expel 1.5 million unauthorised immigrants from the country. However, it remains unclear how many individuals were on the departing flight to Amritsar.

India has one of the largest populations of undocumented immigrants residing in the US. According to data from the Pew Research Centre, approximately 7,25,000 Indian nationals are living illegally in the United States, making them the third-largest group of unauthorised immigrants after Mexico and El Salvador.

Indian illegal immigrants in the US face a constant battle with fear and uncertainty. Many enter the country seeking better job opportunities, education, and an improved quality of life. However, their undocumented status places them at significant risk of deportation, leading to disrupted lives and financial hardships.

The ongoing deportation drive has sparked anxiety among Indian immigrants, particularly those who have lived in the US for years and built their lives there. Many of them now face an uncertain future as the US government continues to crack down on illegal residents.

The Indian government has stated that it is open to the return of undocumented Indian nationals, provided their identity is verified. Last month, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasised that India has consistently maintained this policy and will continue to do so.

In January, Trump indicated that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was supportive of repatriating Indian nationals who had entered the US illegally. Following a phone call between the two leaders, Trump stated that Modi “will do what’s right” when it comes to accepting deported Indian immigrants.

In a bid to expedite deportations, the Pentagon has begun providing military aircraft for the transportation of detained immigrants. Over 5,000 individuals currently held by US authorities in El Paso, Texas, and San Diego, California, are expected to be deported through military-operated flights.

So far, deportation flights have been dispatched to several countries, including Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras. The recent flight to India marks another significant move in the US government’s strict immigration enforcement policies.

- With inputs from agencies

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