US Deports 104 Indian Migrants on Military Plane Amid Crackdown on Illegal Immigration

A U.S. military C-17 aircraft has deported 104 Indian migrants to Amritsar, India, marking the first such use of military transport for deportations to India under President Donald Trump’s administration. The deportees, originating from various Indian states including Punjab and Gujarat, had entered the U.S. illegally. This action aligns with the Trump administration’s intensified efforts to curb illegal immigration. The deportation occurred ahead of an anticipated meeting between President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington, where migration issues are expected to be discussed. India has agreed to accept the return of its nationals after verifying their identities, emphasizing its stance against illegal immigration due to associated organized crime concerns. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has highlighted these deportations as a deterrent against illegal migration. Between November 2023 and October 2024, 519 Indian nationals were deported to India, with media reports estimating about 725,000 undocumented Indians currently residing in the U.S.A