In a significant development, 205 Indian nationals who had illegally entered the US have been deported on a US military aircraft, marking a strong stance by the US administration against illegal immigration. The Indian government has verified the identity of each deportee, signaling cooperation between the two nations. This repatriation is likely the first of many such moves as New Delhi affirms its policy against unlawful migration, which it links to organized crime.
BY PC Bureau
A total of 205 Indian nationals, who illegally entered the United States, have been deported on a US military aircraft that departed from Texas roughly six hours ago, sources have confirmed. Each individual underwent verification, signaling India’s involvement in the deportation process. This flight is expected to be the first in a series aimed at returning illegal Indian immigrants from the US.
A C-17 US military aircraft is transporting the deportees to India. Notably, the aircraft, unless equipped with an air-transportable galley, offers only a single toilet for 205 passengers during the long-haul journey.
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The move aligns with the US government’s strict immigration policy under President Donald Trump‘s administration, which has previously deported illegal migrants to Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras using military aircraft. Trump recently stated, “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.”
205 illegal Indian immigrants in the United States are en route to India on board a US Air Force C-17 military aircraft. More batches will follow. pic.twitter.com/2eIEGi9oa7
— Frontalforce 🇮🇳 (@FrontalForce) February 4, 2025
Reports of this deportation coincide with Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s scheduled visit to the US next week, his first since Trump’s re-election. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar previously affirmed India’s willingness to facilitate the legitimate return of Indian nationals living illegally abroad, including in the US.
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“We are against illegal immigration due to its links with organized crime,” said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. He emphasized that India would accept nationals proven to be Indians, provided the required documents are verified.
According to Bloomberg News, India and the US have identified approximately 18,000 Indian migrants who entered the US illegally.
A US Embassy spokesperson in New Delhi remarked, “We are vigorously enforcing our borders, tightening immigration laws, and removing illegal migrants. These actions send a clear message: illegal migration is not worth the risk.”
Background: Rising Focus on Immigration Policies
The deportation comes amid heightened US enforcement of immigration laws, with President Trump adopting a hardline stance on illegal migration. This crackdown has seen the use of military aircraft for deportations in a bid to expedite the process. The Indian government’s cooperation also reflects its growing concerns over illegal immigration, which it links to transnational organized crime.
India has recently faced scrutiny for the rising number of undocumented migrants, with countries such as the US pressing New Delhi for more efficient repatriation procedures. With an estimated 18,000 illegal Indian immigrants identified in the US, experts predict further deportations in the coming months.
Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming visit to the US could see further discussions on bilateral cooperation regarding illegal immigration and India’s role in addressing this issue. The deportations highlight the evolving global immigration landscape and India’s efforts to maintain lawful migration practices.
