NEW DELHI: The US military plane carrying 104 illegal Indian immigrants landed in Amritsar on Wednesday afternoon, marking the Donald Trump-administration’s first crackdown on the country’s migrants after assuming office.
The deportees from Punjab and Haryana were taken to their respective hometowns in police vehicles after completion of all formalities.
After reaching his home town, One of the deported Indian immigrants, Jaspal Singh said that he was defrauded by a travel agent as he was promised that he would be sent to the US in a legal way.
He claimed that he was duped after paying a hefty sum for a proper visa to US.
“In 2024, I gave Rs 3 lakh to agent who promised me proper visa, but defrauded me. I went to Europe and from there via ‘Dunki’ route,” he added.
Jaspal claimed that he reached Brazil by air in July last year. He said he was promised that the next leg of journey, to the US, would be by air too. However, he was “cheated” by his agent, who forced him to cross the border illegally.
After staying for six months in Brazil, he crossed the border to the US, but was arrested by the US Border Patrol.
He was kept there in custody for 11 days and then sent back home, said Jaspal.
“We thought we were being taken to another camp. Then a police officer told us that they were being taken to India.” he said.
“We were handcuffed and legs were chained. These were opened at the Amritsar airport,” he claimed.
Earlier, Jaspal’s cousin Jasbir Singh said, “We came to know about his deportation through the media on Wednesday morning”.
Jaspal said he was shattered with deportation. “A huge sum was spent. The money was borrowed.”
About the deportations, he said, “These are issues of governments. When we go abroad for work, we have big dreams for a better future for our families. Those have now been shattered.”
A US military aircraft transporting 104 alleged illegal Indian immigrants landed in Amritsar on Wednesday. The flight, which originated from San Antonio, Texas, included 30 deportees from Punjab, 33 each from Haryana and Gujarat, three each from Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, and two from Chandigarh, as reported by news agency PTI citing sources.
The flight landed at Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport amidst tight security from Punjab Police at 1.55pm.The flight landed at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport amidst tight security from Punjab Police at 1.55pm.
Footage showed a US military C-17 aircraft arriving at Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport around 1.30pm, shortly after which the deported Indian nationals disembarked.
Handcuffed and humiliated’: Congress
Earlier in the day, senior Congress leader Pawan Khera questioned Modi government citing images of Indian nationals in handcuffs facing deportation from the US
On the social media platform X, Khera drew parallels to a 2013 incident during the UPA government’s tenure, when Indian diplomat Devyani Kobragade faced handcuffing and strip-searching in the US.
His X post read, “Looking at the pictures of Indians getting handcuffed and humiliated while being deported from the US saddens me as an Indian. I remember in December of 2013, an Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade was handcuffed and strip searched in America. Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh registered a strong protest with US Ambassador Nancy Powell.”
“The UPA govt retaliated sharply. Leaders like Ms Meira Kumar, Sushil Kumar Shinde & Rahul Gandhi refused to meet the US Congressional delegation (George Holding, Pete Olson, David Schweikert, Rob Woodalland Madeleine Bordallo) that was visiting India at that time. Dr Manmohan Singh termed the US action ‘deplorable’. Govt of India withdrew several perks given to the US embassy, including imports of food and alcohol at concessional rates by embassy staff. Income Tax department started investigating the American Embassy school John Kerry expressed regrets at the treatment given to Devyani Khobragade. US administration called up foreign secretary Sujatha Singh to convey the regrets of the USA,” he added.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore also took to X and posted a picture which showed handcuffed men walking. He stated, “Shocking & shameful! The way the US is deporting Indians–chained like criminals–is inhumane & unacceptable. Why is PM @narendramodi silent? Where is self-respect? @DrSJaishankar, what are you doing to stop this humiliation of our people? Speak up & act NOW! #indiansdeported.”
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