In one of the largest deportation flights of Indian immigrants in recent history, the United States sent back at least 104 Indian citizens to India on a military aircraft. The operation took place on Tuesday night (4th) as part of the Trump administration’s tightened immigration policies, which have prioritized cracking down on irregular immigration as one of its key political pillars.
According to authorities in the Indian state of Punjab, the aircraft landed in the city of Amritsar, in the country’s northwest, on Wednesday afternoon (5th), local time. The flight used a C-17 Globemaster III, a strategic military transport aircraft typically used for troop and military cargo movements, highlighting the urgency and control that the U.S. government has placed on deportations.
This flight represents the longest distance covered in a deportation operation conducted by military aircraft since the Trump administration adopted this practice to expedite the removal process of immigrants. A U.S. official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the objective is to avoid prolonged immigrant detention periods and optimize resources in managing migration flows.
The deportation of such a large group had a significant emotional impact on the affected families. Many of these immigrants, primarily from the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Punjab, had invested their entire family savings and endured long and perilous journeys to reach the United States, only to be detained and sent back within months.
One of the most heartbreaking cases is that of Akashdeep Singh, a 23-year-old who left India seven months ago in search of a better future. His cousin, Manriasat Singh, reported that the family spent approximately $60,000 (around ₹340,000) to get him to the United States, a sum obtained by selling two-thirds of the family’s land. However, shortly after his arrival in January this year, Akashdeep was detained and, months later, deported. “He sounded devastated on the phone,” said Manriasat. “His parents are relieved that he’s back and didn’t spend years in detention, but at the same time, everything they had was lost.”
Stories like Akashdeep’s have become increasingly common among Indian immigrants in recent years. Many travel through smuggling networks and intermediaries who charge exorbitant fees to cross multiple Latin American countries before reaching the U.S. southern border. These journeys involve significant risks, including abuses by human traffickers, natural hazards, and extremely precarious travel conditions.
Akashdeep’s case reflects a concerning trend. The number of Indians attempting to enter the U.S. illegally has skyrocketed in recent years. According to U.S. government data, in the 2018-2019 period, there were 8,027 undocumented Indian immigrants in the country. By 2022-2023, that number had surged to a staggering 96,917.
Most of these migrants are young people seeking better economic opportunities. Rising unemployment in regions like Punjab has driven many to resort to illegal means to pursue a better life in the United States. According to Lakbhir Singh, a former village leader in Punjab, economic pressure and lack of prospects are the main drivers of this phenomenon. “Families are selling everything they have to send their children abroad, hoping for a better life. When they are deported, they return home without money and without hope,” said Lakbhir.
The deportation of this large group of Indians raises questions about U.S.-India diplomatic relations. The Indian government has stated that it will continue to receive its deported citizens back, but experts argue that a greater effort is needed to address the root causes of the problem.
Political leaders in Punjab and other affected regions are pressuring the government to implement measures that encourage job creation and opportunities within India itself, reducing the exodus of young people seeking alternatives abroad.
Additionally, the U.S. government continues to reinforce its strict stance on irregular immigration, increasingly using military resources to accelerate deportation processes. However, this strategy could have diplomatic consequences, especially considering the importance of economic and strategic relations between the two countries.
The mass deportation of Indian immigrants by the United States reflects growing global migration tensions and the need for sustainable solutions. Without a firm commitment from both governments to address both the causes and consequences of irregular immigration, the crisis will continue to deepen, affecting thousands of families and challenging diplomatic and political relations on the international stage.
Indian immigrants in the United States represent one of the country’s most successful and fastest-growing immigrant communities. Historically, Indian migration to the U.S. gained momentum after the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which removed restrictive quotas and allowed a greater influx of skilled professionals, particularly in fields such as technology, medicine, and engineering.
Currently, it is estimated that over 4.5 million people of Indian origin live in the United States. This population is highly educated, with a significant percentage holding higher education degrees and occupying prominent positions in sectors such as information technology, finance, engineering, and healthcare. Many of the leading U.S. technology companies, such as Google, Microsoft, and Adobe, have CEOs of Indian origin, reflecting the influence of the Indian diaspora on the American economy.
Alongside highly skilled professionals, there has also been an increase in the number of Indians seeking entry into the U.S. through irregular means. In recent years, thousands of young people from India, especially from regions like Punjab and Gujarat, have attempted to enter the U.S. through dangerous routes across Latin America, including risky crossings at the country’s southern border.
Between the fiscal years 2018 and 2023, the number of Indians attempting to enter the U.S. illegally soared from just over 8,000 to nearly 97,000. Many of these immigrants arrive through human smuggling networks that charge thousands of dollars to facilitate the journey, often involving multiple stops in countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico before reaching the U.S. This increase reflects the lack of opportunities in India, combined with the perception that the U.S. offers better economic and social conditions.
Despite the success of the Indian community in the U.S., immigration faces challenges. The U.S. government has intensified its policies against irregular immigration, leading to a rise in deportations, such as the recent expulsion of 104 Indians on military planes. Many of those attempting to enter illegally end up detained and deported, causing financial losses and emotional trauma for the families involved.
Additionally, visa policies for skilled workers, such as the H-1B visa, have been the subject of debate in recent years. Many U.S. tech companies rely on Indian talent, but changes in immigration policies may make it more difficult to renew visas and obtain permanent residency.
Indian immigration to the U.S. is expected to continue growing, particularly in high-skilled sectors. At the same time, economic pressures in India and stricter U.S. immigration policies could lead to increased irregular migration and deportations. The balance between economic opportunities, migration control, and diplomatic relations between the two countries will be crucial in determining the future of Indian immigrants in the United States.
