Deported: In a recent development, 116 Indian nationals were forcibly deported by the United States for violating immigration laws. On the night of Saturday, February 16, the U.S. Air Force’s Globemaster aircraft landed at Amritsar Airport, marking the return of these individuals. This time, all men, except for women and children, were shackled during the flight. The deportees were later reunited with their families at the airport, but they were not allowed to speak with the media. The incident has raised several questions regarding the deportation process and the treatment of these individuals.
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The Return of 116 Indians: Forced Deportation by U.S. Authorities
On February 16, 2025, the American authorities deported a group of 116 Indian nationals, including 65 from Punjab, 33 from Haryana, and 8 from Gujarat. Other states such as Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir also had individuals among the deported. Most of the individuals deported were between 18 and 30 years of age. The deportations took place at Amritsar Airport, where the men were subjected to shackling, a stark and controversial display of the U.S. immigration authorities’ policies.
The group was forced onto the U.S. military plane, which landed at Amritsar Airport at approximately 11:30 PM. After hours of verification and paperwork, the deportees were released to their families, who had gathered at the airport to welcome them. However, the authorities made sure that the media was kept at a distance, and no one was allowed to speak to the press about the circumstances of their return.
Deportation Timeline: How the Return of Indian Nationals Unfolded
The latest batch of deportees marks a recurring pattern in forced deportations from the U.S. Just a few days earlier, on February 5, 104 Indian nationals had been deported in a similar manner. Like the previous group, the majority of the deportees were men, shackled and handcuffed throughout their journey. The deportees came from various states, including Haryana and Gujarat, which saw the highest number of deportations in the last incident.
Interestingly, questions arose about the landing of the flight in Amritsar. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann raised concerns about the choice of airport, as more deportees were from Haryana and Gujarat. Despite this, Amritsar was chosen as the destination. This sparked discussions on the appropriateness of such decisions and whether it was part of a broader political strategy.
The Impact on Families: Emotional Reunions at Amritsar Airport
The emotional impact on families cannot be understated. Many relatives of the deported individuals were seen anxiously waiting at Amritsar Airport. Some, like Sohajbir’s mother, had invested large sums of money to send their sons to the U.S. in hopes of a better future. Sohajbir’s mother shared her distress, revealing that she had mortgaged their land and borrowed money to fund her son’s journey, only to find out that he had been deported after crossing the border into the U.S.
Similarly, the family of 20-year-old Jashanpreet Singh, who had spent time in a refugee camp in Spain before attempting to enter the U.S., was devastated upon hearing the news of his deportation. His mother, deeply emotional, expressed gratitude that her son was returning home safely. These personal stories reflect the deep financial and emotional toll that such deportations have on the families involved.
Deportation Costs: Financial Strain on Indian Families
Many deported individuals came from families that had sacrificed significant resources to send their children to the U.S. In some cases, families took out loans, sold property, or even mortgaged land to fund the journey. The cost of sending a person abroad, especially illegally, can be exorbitant. For instance, one family from Gurudaspur revealed they had spent over ₹50 lakh (approximately $60,000) to send their son, Gurmel Singh, to the U.S. Through a series of deals with agents, they had borrowed large amounts of money to cover the expenses.
In another heartbreaking account, a family from Rajpura detailed how their son, Gurdat, was detained for three months after his deportation. The family had paid ₹40 lakh (approximately $50,000) for his journey, only to find that the agents had filed an FIR against them when they failed to repay the remaining money. The emotional and financial stress of such experiences is immense for many families, especially considering the high costs involved in the whole process.
Concerns and Criticism of the U.S. Deportation Process
The forced deportation of Indian nationals from the U.S. has raised several concerns. Many are questioning the inhumane treatment of the deportees, particularly the shackling of men during the flight. Critics argue that such actions only exacerbate the humiliation and distress faced by those who are being sent back to their home countries.
The Punjab government has expressed its discontent with the way the deportation process was handled, with Minister Kuldeep Dhaliwal specifically criticizing the Haryana government’s decision to send prisoner-like buses to transport the deportees. He remarked that Punjab had provided more dignified vehicles, suggesting that Haryana could have done the same.
Future Prospects: Continued Deportations Expected
It is expected that the forced deportations will continue, as the next batch is set to arrive on the night of February 16, 2025. A total of 157 more Indian nationals are expected to be deported in the coming days. This situation has led to ongoing debates about the effectiveness of U.S. immigration policies and the financial and emotional hardships faced by the deportees and their families.
