Two More Flights Carrying Indian Deportees Set to Land in Amritsar on Feb 15-16 Amid Crackdown

The Guru Ram Dass International Airport in Amritsar is set to receive two more flights carrying 119 Indian migrants deported from the United States on February 15 and 16. This follows a series of deportations as part of intensified measures against illegal immigration by U.S. authorities.

According to official reports, the majority of the deportees—67 in total—hail from Punjab, followed by 33 from Haryana. The remaining include individuals from Gujarat (8), Uttar Pradesh (3), Maharashtra (2), Goa (2), Rajasthan (2), and one each from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Many of these individuals had reportedly entered the U.S. through Mexico and other unauthorized routes, with some allegedly destroying their passports upon arrival to evade identification.

This latest batch of deportations marks the second major return of Indian migrants amid the U.S. administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration. Earlier, on February 5, a U.S. military aircraft carrying 104 deported Indian nationals landed in Amritsar. Those onboard included 33 individuals each from Haryana and Gujarat, 30 from Punjab, and smaller numbers from Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Chandigarh.

However, allegations of mistreatment during transit have sparked controversy. Some deportees claimed that they were shackled by their hands and legs throughout the journey, only to be unbound upon arrival in India. These reports triggered a wave of criticism, with opposition leaders demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi address the issue with U.S. authorities.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the treatment of Indian deportees, stating they were handled “even worse than garbage.” Amid mounting pressure, the Indian government formally expressed concerns to Washington regarding the conditions faced by deportees.

The wave of deportations has also prompted local law enforcement agencies in Punjab and Haryana to intensify their crackdown on unauthorized immigration agents. These agents allegedly charge exorbitant fees to facilitate illegal entry into the U.S., exploiting vulnerable migrants in the process.