Amritsar: The first US military flight carrying Indian immigrants who entered the country illegally is expected to land in Punjab instead of Delhi-NCR. The C-17 aircraft is likely to arrive on Wednesday.
Since returning to the White House on January 20, President Donald Trump has intensified efforts to curb illegal immigration, declaring a national emergency at the US-Mexico border. So far, the US has deported migrants to Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras via military flights.
The current deportation flight, carrying 205 Indian nationals, departed from San Antonio, Texas, around 3 a.m. IST on Tuesday (February 4). Sources indicate that the aircraft will land at Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport in Amritsar, Punjab, instead of Delhi-NCR—a decision reportedly made at the highest level. Most deportees are from Punjab and neighboring states, according to The Tribune.
Each passenger was verified before being sent back to India, and the aircraft is scheduled to refuel at Germany’s Ramstein air base before heading to Amritsar. This marks the first time the US has used military aircraft for deporting illegal immigrants. The C-17 Globemaster, typically used for troop transport, is equipped with jet engines, onboard seating, and a toilet.
A US Embassy spokesperson told ANI that while they could not share specific details about the flight, the US is strictly enforcing its immigration laws and deporting undocumented migrants to send a clear message that illegal migration is not worth the risk.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon is also assisting in the deportation of over 5,000 immigrants detained in El Paso, Texas, and San Diego, California, Reuters reported.
Once the deported Indian nationals arrive in Punjab, authorities will conduct debriefings to gather information about their backgrounds and confirm their origins.
