NEW DELHI/AMRITSAR, 14 February 2025: The United States is set to deport another batch of illegal Indian immigrants, with two flights scheduled to arrive in India this week.
The first flight, carrying 119 deportees, is expected to land at Amritsar airport on February 15, while the second flight is set to arrive at 10 p.m. on February 16. The total number of passengers on the second flight remains unknown.
The deportation comes amid growing political debate in India, with opposition parties raising concerns about the treatment of Indian immigrants in the U.S. and demanding explanations from the government.
A previous U.S. deportation flight in January carried 104 Indian migrants, most of whom were from Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat.
The issue had sparked controversy in Parliament, with opposition leaders alleging that deportees were mistreated and forced to travel in handcuffs and shackles.
In response, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar defended the process, stating that deportations are not new and have been taking place for years.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his recent U.S. visit, also reaffirmed India’s stance, stating that the country will accept its citizens living illegally abroad once their Indian citizenship is confirmed.
He underlined that illegal immigration is a global issue, not just an Indian concern, and reiterated India’s commitment to taking back its nationals in accordance with international norms.
