US Expands Deportation Program for Illegal Immigrants, Includes Flights for Indians

The United States has initiated a stringent program aimed at repatriating illegal immigrants to their native lands, which has impacted some Indians. In line with this initiative, two additional flights have been arranged to transport more Indians back. The initial flight, carrying 119 individuals, is slated to arrive in Amritsar on Sunday, while the schedule for the subsequent flight remains uncertain.

The deportees are being flown back in a C-17 Globemaster 3 US military aircraft. Of the 119 Indian nationals on the first flight, a significant portion, 67, hail from Punjab. The remaining individuals come from various states, including Haryana with 33 deportees, Gujarat (8), Uttar Pradesh (3), Goa (2), Rajasthan (2), Maharashtra (2), Jammu and Kashmir (1), and Himachal Pradesh (1).

This action comes in the wake of the deportation of 104 Indians from the United States, an event that sparked controversy due to the use of shackles and chains on the deportees. The US government has committed to continuing the deportation process weekly until all illegal immigrants are sent back to their countries of origin.

In response to these developments, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently held discussions with US President Donald Trump concerning the issue of illegal immigration. PM Modi affirmed his determination to repatriate Indians residing unlawfully in the US, emphasizing that illegal entry into any country is not a right and this stance is recognized globally. He expressed concern over the exploitation of young and impoverished individuals through promises of money and employment, leading to illegal migration. PM Modi stressed the need to eradicate such exploitative practices.

In a related move, the White House made its stance clear through a Valentine's Day post directed at illegal immigrants. The post featured a greeting card stating, "Roses are red, violets are blue, if you come illegally, we'll deport you." This warning was accompanied by photographs of a stern-looking President Trump and border chief Thomas Homan, underscoring the administration's serious approach to illegal immigration.

The ongoing deportations and the leadership's discussions highlight the complexities and sensitivities surrounding the issue of illegal immigration. Both the US and Indian governments are taking steps to address the challenges posed by illegal residency, with a focus on the human and legal aspects involved.