Amritsar: At least 104 ‘illegal’ Indian immigrants deported from the US landed at Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport Wednesday afternoon around 2 pm. The deportees arrived on a US military aircraft, along with more than 40 officials. The deported Indian nationals included at least 30 from Punjab, 33 each from Haryana and Gujarat, three from Maharashtra, and two each from Chandigarh and Uttar Pradesh.
“There will be no detention. They will be sent back to their homes respectfully,” said a senior Punjab Police official who did not wish to be named.
All necessary checks, including verification of their immigration status and criminal records, were conducted before they were allowed to return to their homes, a source in the district administration told ThePrint. Adding, “We made arrangements for food, and safe transport back to their homes. We also have a team of doctors and paediatricians on standby. We are also facilitating contact with their kin.”
The plane landed under tight police cover and amid a flurry of trucks carrying food and other items making their way to the terminal section of Amritsar airport.
Police sources said counters were set up to facilitate the arrival, adding that the police were instructed by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to be “friendly” with the deportees.
The repatriation comes against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump’s mass deportation effort which involves the use of military resources to return ‘illegal’ immigrants back to their home countries. These immigrants are primarily those who either entered the US illegally or overstayed their visas.
Punjab NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said it was unfortunate to see these individuals returning after spending lakhs in their attempt to earn a livelihood. “While it’s unfortunate, it’s also good that they are back home and not detained,” Dhaliwal said.
(Edited by Tikli Basu)
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These people should be arrested and jailed. Tough interrogation would reveal the masterminds of this illegal human trafficking network. The Indian security agencies must take this with utmost seriousness.
The massive scale of illegal immigration from India into developed nations is shameful and brings disrepute to the nation.
There are another 18,000 in the first tranche. Not far short of a million later. The Indian Embassy in Washington should coordinate with the Department of Homeland Security to arrange repatriation in chartered civilian aircraft. Ensure that the basic attributes of human dignity are ensured. Including toilet facilities on a twenty hour flight.
It is painful to see Indians handcuffed and bound even if they are illegal migrants. India should send its plane in bringing these guys in a dignified manner.