U.S. Deportation Flights Trigger Major Protests: 119 Indians Land in Amritsar Amid Tensions
Two U.S. deportation flights carrying 119 Indian nationals land in Amritsar on February 15–16. Details on the crackdown, PM Modi’s response, and political backlash.
The U.S. government has intensified its crackdown on illegal immigration under President Donald Trump’s administration, with two special flights carrying 119 Indian deportees landing at Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport on February 15 and 16. This follows the deportation of 104 Indians on February 5, sparking nationwide outrage over the treatment of returnees .
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Two U.S. Flights Repatriate 119 Indian Nationals to Amritsar
- First Flight: Arrived on February 15 at 10:05 PM with 119 passengers, including 67 from Punjab, 33 from Haryana, 8 from Gujarat, 3 from Uttar Pradesh, and 2 each from Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Goa. One deportee each hailed from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir .
- Second Flight: Scheduled to land on February 16, though passenger numbers remain unconfirmed .
- Route: Most deportees entered the U.S. illegally via the Mexico border or “donkey routes”—risky pathways used by migrants—after destroying their passports to avoid identification .
Outcry Over Treatment of Deportees
The earlier batch of 104 Indians, deported on February 5, faced severe backlash after reports emerged of passengers being shackled and handcuffed during the 18-hour military flight. Opposition leaders in India condemned the “inhumane” treatment, with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge likening it to “worse than garbage” . External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar termed the restraints a U.S. “standard procedure” but vowed to push for dignified repatriation .
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Political Backlash in Punjab
Punjab’s Finance Minister, Harpal Cheema, accused the central government of deliberately routing flights to Amritsar to “defame Punjab,” questioning why Gujarat or Haryana—home to many deportees—were not chosen as landing sites . The state has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe human trafficking networks exploiting vulnerable migrants .
PM Modi’s Stance on Illegal Immigration
During his U.S. visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized India’s readiness to repatriate “*verified citizens” living illegally abroad. He blamed human traffickers for luring poor families with “false promises” and pledged to dismantle this “ecosystem of exploitation” . The U.S. has issued removal orders for *487 presumed Indian nationals, with 18,000 likely to face deportation in the long term .
Broader Impact of Trump’s Immigration Policy
- Statistics: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) reported 1,700 Indian arrests between 2022–2024, including 42 minors .
- Global Context: Over 725,000 unauthorized Indian immigrants reside in the U.S., per a 2022 Pew Research study .
India’s Foreign Secretary confirmed ongoing talks with U.S. authorities to ensure humane deportation processes. Meanwhile, Punjab and Haryana police are cracking down on fraudulent immigration agents charging exorbitant fees for illegal migration .
