Second US Flight carrying Indian migrants lands in Amritsar today
A US military aircraft carrying 119 illegal Indian immigrants will land at Amritsar International Airport at 10 PM on Saturday. This marks the second round of deportations under President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. The aircraft includes 67 from Punjab, 33 from Haryana, eight from Gujarat, three from Uttar Pradesh, two each from Rajasthan and Maharashtra, and one each from Goa, Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh. The US plans to continue deportations every two weeks.
Last week, a similar flight brought 104 deported Indians to Amritsar. This issue gained attention during PM Narendra Modi’s recent US visit, where he discussed immigration with President Trump. PM Modi emphasized the need to dismantle human trafficking networks misleading ordinary Indians into illegal migration. He called for US-India cooperation to eliminate such exploitation.
However, the treatment of deportees has sparked controversy. Reports of handcuffing and shackling drew criticism, with opposition leaders urging the Indian government to oppose these measures. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) defended the practice as standard security protocol, but many argue it is excessive for non-criminal immigration violators.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the issue in Parliament, assuring that India is engaging with US officials to ensure dignified treatment for deportees. He acknowledged the need to uphold immigration laws while insisting on humane treatment. As the US enforces stricter policies, India must strengthen border control and enhance diplomatic efforts to curb illegal migration.
