US-India immigration crisis: Second deportation flight with Indian migrants arrives in Punjab’s Amritsar today

World News: In the second wave of deportations under US President Donald Trump’s stringent immigration policies, 119 illegal Indian immigrants are set to return to India on Saturday. The deportees will arrive at Punjab’s Amritsar International Airport aboard a C-17 US military aircraft at approximately 10 PM. According to reports, the group includes 67 individuals from Punjab, 33 from Haryana, 8 from Gujarat, 3 from Uttar Pradesh, 2 each from Rajasthan and Maharashtra, and one each from Goa, Jammu & Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh. The US authorities have scheduled deportation flights every alternate week until all undocumented Indian immigrants are repatriated. This follows last week’s deportation of 104 illegal Indian migrants, who were also sent back on a US military C-17 aircraft.

PM Modi’s stance on illegal immigration and human trafficking

These deportations come in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the United States, where immigration was a key topic in discussions with President Trump. During a joint press conference, PM Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to taking back its citizens living illegally in America.Highlighting the role of human traffickers in misleading individuals, he stated, “They are shown big dreams and misled into coming here. We must dismantle the human trafficking ecosystem from its roots. Both India and the US should work together to eliminate this menace.”

Outrage over treatment of Indian deportees

The return of deported Indian migrants has sparked widespread controversy over the treatment they received in the US. Political leaders and citizens alike have condemned the use of handcuffs and shackles during deportation flights. While US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) defends these measures as standard security protocol to prevent escape attempts or disruptions, critics argue that such treatment is inhumane and excessive, particularly for individuals whose only offense is an immigration violation.

EAM S. Jaishankar addresses concerns in Parliament

Responding to the outcry, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar assured Parliament that India is actively engaging with US authorities to ensure deported citizens are treated with dignity. He emphasized that while immigration laws must be respected, humane treatment should not be compromised.The Trump administration’s crackdown has placed immense pressure on the Indian government to manage the reintegration of deportees. As the US tightens immigration policies, India faces the challenge of curbing illegal migration through stronger border controls and diplomatic negotiations.