Inside the U.S. Deportation Flight: The Untold Stories of 104 Indian Returnees

A U.S. military aircraft, specifically a C-17, landed in Amritsar recently, marking what is reportedly the beginning of a series of deportations by the United States government. Onboard were 104 Indians, including a man named Jaspal Singh from Hardorwal village in Gurdaspur district. Singh, aged 36, shared his experience, stating that throughout the flight, he and the other passengers were restrained with cuffs on their hands and legs, which were only removed upon landing.

Jaspal Singh's journey to the United States turned out to be a harrowing tale of deception and legal woes. He was apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol on January 24, following a failed attempt to enter the country. Singh claimed a travel agency promised him a legal route to the U.S., for which he paid Rs 30 lakh. However, his journey involved a six-month stay in Brazil before being smuggled into the U.S., where he was eventually caught. Unbeknownst to him until his deportation, Singh found himself amongst those being sent back to India.

The demographics of the deportees revealed a significant representation from various states, with 33 each from Haryana and Gujarat, and 30 from Punjab. Interestingly, there were no deportees from Andhra Pradesh or Telangana. This incident sheds light on the broader issue of illegal immigration and the desperate measures people resort to in pursuit of a better life abroad, often at great personal risk and cost.