February 6, 2025: In a video shared by Michael W. Banks, the chief of the US Border Patrol (USBP), the deportation of Indian nationals was revealed as part of the ongoing crackdown on illegal immigration under President Donald Trump's administration. The video shows a group of "illegal aliens" being escorted aboard a US military C-17 aircraft with their hands cuffed and legs shackled, heading back to India.
The deportees, who were predominantly detained at the US-Mexico border, were flown from San Antonio, Texas, to Amritsar, India. The flight, described as the "farthest deportation flight yet," marks a significant milestone in the Trump administration’s push to strictly enforce immigration laws. Banks emphasized the commitment to swift removals, warning, “If you cross illegally, you will be removed.”
The flight, which carried 104 illegal Indian immigrants, is the first in which undocumented Indians have been deported as part of the Trump administration’s crackdown. Upon arrival in Amritsar, the deportees were reportedly unshackled after landing. While the US military reportedly footed the bill for the costly flight, the news has stirred heated debates across India.
Members of the Opposition in India have expressed outrage, and protests erupted in Parliament, calling for a discussion during the ongoing Budget Session. Both houses of Parliament were adjourned following noisy protests against the Centre’s response to the issue.
The US Embassy in India reiterated Washington's firm stance on illegal immigration, underlining that enforcing immigration laws is a critical matter of national security and public safety. A statement released by the embassy read, “It is the policy of the US to faithfully execute immigration laws against all inadmissible and removable aliens.”
Among the deported individuals, 33 are from Haryana, 33 from Gujarat, 30 from Punjab, three each from Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, and two from Chandigarh. The Indian government has not yet issued an official statement regarding the deportation.