A US military aircraft, carrying 205 illegal Indian immigrants, is scheduled to land at Amritsar’s Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport on Wednesday afternoon. The C-17 military transport plane, which departed from San Antonio, Texas, is returning individuals who had entered the United States through unofficial routes, mostly from Punjab and surrounding states.
Although the flight was initially expected to land in the morning, it has been delayed. Local authorities in Punjab are prepared for the arrival, with state officials setting up designated counters at the airport to manage the process. Punjab’s Director General of Police, Gaurav Yadav, confirmed that arrangements have been made to handle the situation smoothly.
Punjab’s NRI Affairs Minister, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, expressed concern over the US decision. He argued that many of these individuals had contributed significantly to the American economy and should have been granted permanent residency instead of being deported. Dhaliwal noted that many immigrants had initially entered the US on work permits, which later expired, leaving them undocumented. The minister intends to meet with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar next week to address the concerns of the Punjabi community living in the US.
This deportation marks the first instance of Indian nationals being returned on a US military aircraft since Donald Trump resumed office as President in January 2025. Trump, who pledged to crack down on illegal immigration during his campaign, has since intensified efforts to remove undocumented migrants, expanding detention facilities and speeding up deportation processes. Thousands of immigrants have been detained in crowded facilities across the US, with many held at temporary camps operated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The US Embassy spokesperson confirmed the country’s strict enforcement of immigration laws, stating, “These actions send a clear message: illegal migration is not worth the risk.” As part of these efforts, more than 5,000 individuals from various countries, including Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras, have been deported via US military flights.
India has yet to issue an official statement regarding this deportation, though the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had previously mentioned plans to facilitate the return of Indian nationals overstaying or residing illegally abroad. Reports suggest that approximately 18,000 Indian nationals have been identified for deportation, though the figure may be higher. US Customs and Border Protection data indicates that Indian nationals accounted for roughly 3% of unlawful border crossings in the 2024 fiscal year.
The use of military aircraft for deportations is a costly approach. A recent flight to Guatemala was reported to cost $4,675 per migrant, with the operational cost of the C-17 aircraft being around $28,500 per hour—making this one of the most expensive deportation flights undertaken during Trump’s administration.
Upon their arrival in India, the deported individuals will undergo identity verification and debriefing by Indian authorities, who will investigate the networks that facilitated their illegal migration to the US. The Indian government has been discouraging citizens from using illegal migration routes, encouraging skill development and legal avenues for overseas employment.
This deportation underscores Trump’s broader immigration enforcement strategy. While India has cooperated with the return of its nationals, there are concerns about the potential impact on legitimate migration channels. Minister Jaishankar has reiterated India’s commitment to the lawful return of its citizens residing abroad without proper documentation.