In a significant development amid the United States’ crackdown on illegal immigration, a total of 205 Indian nationals who had entered the US unlawfully have been deported and are on their way back to India. The deportation is being carried out on a US military aircraft, which took off from Texas approximately six hours ago. Sources have confirmed that each of the deported individuals has undergone a verification process, indicating India’s active involvement in the operation. This is expected to be the first of many such flights that will repatriate illegal Indian immigrants from the US.
The deportation process is being conducted via a C-17 US military aircraft, which is currently transporting the Indian nationals back home. The aircraft, commonly used for military and emergency operations, has minimal passenger amenities. Unless specially fitted with an air-transportable galley, the C-17 features only a single toilet for all passengers onboard, highlighting the challenging nature of such operations.
This action aligns with US President Donald Trump’s stringent policies against illegal immigration. The current administration has taken a firm stance on deporting those who have entered the country unlawfully, and similar deportation flights have previously been sent to Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras. Trump’s government has intensified efforts to remove illegal migrants, making it clear that unauthorized entry into the US will not be tolerated.
The timing of this first large-scale deportation flight of Indian nationals is notable, as it comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anticipated visit to the US next week. This will be his first trip to Washington after Trump secured a second term in office. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has maintained that it is open to facilitating the legitimate return of Indian nationals living illegally abroad, including in the US. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has previously reiterated India’s position that any Indian citizen staying in a foreign country without proper documentation will be taken back once their nationality is verified.
President Trump has publicly stated that Prime Minister Modi has assured him that India will “do what’s right” in accepting the return of its undocumented nationals. In a statement last month, Trump emphasized the scale of his administration’s efforts, saying, “For the first time in history, we are locating and loading illegal aliens into military aircraft and flying them back to the places from which they came.” Reports suggest that the US and India have identified approximately 18,000 Indian migrants who entered the US illegally, and deportation operations are expected to continue in the coming months.
India has consistently expressed its opposition to illegal immigration, citing its links to various forms of organized crime. The Ministry of External Affairs has reinforced that India does not support unlawful migration and will cooperate with countries in taking back its nationals, provided their identity and nationality are verified. Speaking at a press briefing, ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India will accept Indian nationals who have overstayed or are residing in any country without proper documentation, as long as the necessary verification is completed.
The US Embassy in New Delhi has also issued a statement underscoring the Biden administration’s strict enforcement of immigration laws. “The United States is vigorously enforcing its borders, tightening immigration laws, and removing illegal migrants. These actions send a clear message: illegal migration is not worth the risk,” a spokesperson from the US Embassy said.
As deportation measures intensify under Trump’s leadership, the issue of illegal Indian immigration remains a key aspect of bilateral discussions between India and the US. With thousands more illegal Indian migrants reportedly under scrutiny, this first large-scale repatriation marks the beginning of what could be a series of similar actions in the near future.
