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US Deports Illegal Indian Immigrants via Military Plane
A US military plane carrying Indian migrants landed in Amritsar today as part of Trump's immigration crackdown. This marks the first time such deportations used military aircraft.
ND
by News Desk
2025-02-05
US Deports Illegal Indian Immigrants via Military Plane

In a significant move under President Donald Trump's immigration agenda, a US military plane carrying Indian immigrants landed in Amritsar, Punjab, on Wednesday. This deportation marks the first time Washington has used a military aircraft for repatriating illegal immigrants to India.

While the exact number of deportees remains unclear, reports suggest it could range from 104 to 205 individuals. Most of them are believed to hail from the northern state of Punjab and the western state of Gujarat.

The C-17 military aircraft, which was not visible on public flight trackers, arrived after a lengthy journey. Local TV channels captured visuals of the plane taxiing upon landing in Amritsar.

The Trump administration has increasingly leveraged military resources to enforce its strict immigration policies. In addition to deporting migrants via military aircraft, US military bases are now being utilized to house detainees.

This operation highlights the growing collaboration between India and the US on immigration issues. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently met with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to discuss irregular migration. India has agreed to verify and repatriate its citizens identified as illegal immigrants in the US.

The deportation comes amidst strengthening ties between the two nations, with trade and strategic partnerships at the forefront. Both countries are also aligning efforts to counter China's influence in the region.

For many in India, this development underscores the delicate balance between addressing migration concerns and ensuring smoother processes for skilled workers seeking US visas, a key demand from New Delhi.

The US has announced plans to deport over 5,000 detained migrants, with previous reports estimating the cost of such flights to exceed $4,675 per migrant.

This deportation flight to India represents a symbolic and logistical milestone in the Trump administration's immigration strategy. The topic is expected to feature prominently in upcoming discussions between President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, slated to take place in Washington next week.
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