Key Takeaways
• A US deportation flight with 119 Indian nationals will land in Amritsar on February 15, 2025, at 10:05 PM.
• Deportees from this flight include individuals from multiple states, with Punjab contributing the largest group of 67 individuals.
• India’s policy mandates accepting deported citizens if nationality is verified; processes adhere to international law and bilateral agreements.
A US flight carrying 119 Indian deportees is expected to arrive in Amritsar 🇮🇳 on February 15, 2025, at 10:05 PM. This follows a previous deportation flight on February 5, 2025, which brought 104 Indian migrants back to the country. This marks the second such return this month, with a third flight anticipated to bring more deportees to Amritsar on February 16, 2025. These deportations are part of the United States’ ongoing efforts to address illegal immigration, especially targeting those who have overstayed their visas or entered the country without proper documentation.
On this particular flight, the 119 deportees include individuals from various regions in India. The group consists of 67 people from Punjab, 33 from Haryana, 8 from Gujarat, 3 from Uttar Pradesh, 2 each from Maharashtra and Rajasthan, and 1 person each from Goa, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir. This spread demonstrates the wide-ranging origins of Indian nationals involved in illegal immigration cases.
These deportations are taking place amidst growing cooperation between India and the United States on the issue of illegal migration. During a recent meeting in Washington between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, both leaders emphasized their shared determination to combat illegal immigration and human trafficking. A joint statement released after the meeting noted their commitment to cracking down on networks and groups facilitating illegal immigration. Prime Minister Modi assured President Trump of India’s willingness to take back all verified Indian nationals found living in the US without legal status. Modi framed illegal immigration as a global concern and affirmed that migrants in violation of immigration laws should not expect to remain in other countries.
The Indian government’s current policy is clear: all citizens residing illegally in another country will be accepted back into India, provided their Indian nationality can be officially confirmed. This policy applies to deportees not only from the United States but from other countries as well. According to a statement made in January 2025 by Randhir Jaiswal, a spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, these efforts reinforce India’s commitment to international law while ensuring that the return process is based on verifiable proof of nationality.
Despite these assurances, the deportations have sparked significant debate and criticism within India. After the arrival of the first group of deportees earlier this month, several civil society organizations and opposition parties spoke out against the treatment of the returnees. Many deportees arrived in handcuffs and shackles, which led to protests demanding that the Indian government ensure their dignity upon return. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar responded to these concerns, stating that India is working closely with US authorities to ensure that deportees are treated respectfully. However, it remains unknown whether these measures have changed for the deportees who were scheduled to arrive today.
The choice of Amritsar as the landing site for these flights has also attracted criticism. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has argued that deportation is a nationwide issue affecting Indian citizens from various states and questioned why Amritsar was chosen instead of other cities, such as Delhi. Mann further claimed that the decision to bring deportees to Punjab alone could cause unnecessary reputational harm to the state, a region frequently associated with migration issues.
These deportations have unfolded during broader discussions on US-India relations. While Modi and Trump demonstrated alignment on immigration issues, trade differences remain a sticking point. During their meeting, Trump reiterated his concern over tariffs imposed by India on US products and hinted at possible reciprocal actions if these issues were not resolved. These dynamics show the complexities of India-US relations, where immigration cooperation exists alongside trade-related tensions.
The ongoing deportations also reflect the scale of illegal immigration involving Indian nationals in the United States. According to reports shared by India’s junior External Affairs Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh, a total of 519 Indian citizens were deported from the US between November 2023 and October 2024. The overall number of undocumented Indian migrants in the United States is estimated to be between 200,000 and 725,000, making it a significant population segment. In fact, data from 2024 suggested that Indians accounted for approximately 3% of all illegal border crossings in the US.
Unlike some countries, India does not maintain specific records on undocumented citizens living abroad. This is because these individuals often leave the country legally on valid visas but later overstay or enter a foreign nation without proper documentation. Before a deportation order is carried out, the process requires close collaboration between the US and Indian governments. The US identifies potential deportees, and Indian agencies then verify their citizenship before accepting their return.
As the deportation plane lands in Amritsar tonight, many questions remain about what lies ahead for the individuals returning to India. Reintegration into society poses challenges, particularly in cases where migrants have faced legal issues or financial difficulties during their time abroad. Indian officials have acknowledged the importance of handling this issue with dignity, but the recurring use of handcuffs and other security measures during deportations has continued to spark controversies.
In broader terms, the deportations underscore a longstanding, complex reality within global migration systems. While India and the US have pledged mutual collaboration against illegal immigration, balancing enforcement with humanitarian concerns will remain a critical issue in the future. For the deportees themselves—many of whom left India seeking better opportunities abroad—this moment marks an end to their journey in the United States. Once they step off the plane in Punjab tonight, they will return to their hometowns, some with nothing but their hopes of starting over.
For official details on deportation processes and immigration policies, the US Department of State provides clear guidelines on its dedicated Immigration and Visa page. Further analysis of these events can be found through VisaVerge.com, a trusted source for immigration-related updates.
Learn Today
Deportation → The forced removal of an individual from a country where they are living without legal authorization or documentation.
Undocumented Migrants → People living in a country without valid legal status, typically due to visa overstays or unauthorized entry.
Nationality Verification → The process used to confirm an individual’s citizenship or country of origin through official documentation or evidence.
Human Trafficking → The illegal movement of people, typically for forced labor, exploitation, or other coercive purposes across borders.
Reintegration → The process of readjusting and settling back into society after returning to one’s home country following deportation.
This Article in a Nutshell
A deportation flight carrying 119 Indian nationals lands in Amritsar tonight, marking the second such return this month. Amid U.S.-India collaboration on illegal migration, concerns grow over deportees’ treatment and Punjab’s exclusive role as a landing site. For many, this signals not just a journey’s end but an uncertain new beginning.
— By VisaVerge.com
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