Sajid Raina
Punjab: As the first batch of 104 Indian deportees and their families struggled to cope with the fresh trauma of their return, another 119 arrived in Amritsar on February 15, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Washington, where Donald Trump hosted him at the White House and called him a “friend,” even as his administration intensified its crackdown on Indian migrants.
In the past three flights from the United States to Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport in Amritsar in north India’s Punjab state, approximately 380 Indian deportees have returned. The first flight on February 5, carried 104 deported Indian migrants. The second flight on February 15, brought back 119 deportees. The third flight on February 16, deported 165 Indian nationals.
In a sweeping crackdown on illegal immigration, the U.S. deported migrants from various Indian states—including from Haryana and Gujarat, from Punjab, and others—shackled throughout the flight, marking the first mass deportation under President Trump, once seen as close to PM Modi
The Indian nationals were sent back under various circumstances, including allegations of illegal entry and visa violations. Many had taken dangerous routes through Latin America, hoping to enter the US without proper documentation. Others were caught overstaying visas or attempting unauthorized border crossings.
While deportation is often associated with criminal activity, most of these individuals were not hardened criminals but desperate migrants seeking better opportunities. However, they faced the same harsh treatment as serious offenders—shackled, restrained, and flown back on a military aircraft like prisoners.
According to a U.S. official, the flight to India was the longest deportation journey undertaken since the Trump administration began using military aircraft for migrant removals.
For the 100 Indian migrants on board, however, it was more than just a long flight—it was a journey of shattered dreams and unbearable regret. Many had risked everything, selling their land, taking on crushing debts, and leaving behind families in search of a better life in the U.S. But instead of new beginnings, they found themselves handcuffed, seated in silence, and forced onto a plane that carried them not toward hope, but back to the very place they had struggled to escape.
“Our hands were cuffed, and our ankles chained before we even boarded,” said 23-year-old Akashdeep Singh, who returned with 103 other deportees.
“We begged them to remove the chains so we could eat or use the bathroom, but they ignored us. We had no choice but to endure it. Even in the bathroom, the shackles stayed on. Just before landing, they unlocked them for the women—we saw it. For us, they waited until we were on the ground, handed over like criminals,” he adds.
In June 2024, Harwinder and his wife, Kuljinder Kaur, made a desperate choice. Struggling to survive by selling milk, they mortgaged their only acre of land and took heavy loans to pay rupees 42 lakh (around $50,000) to a relative who promised a legal U.S. visa. But instead of a new life, Harwinder, 40, who hails from Punjab found himself among 104 deported migrants—his dreams crushed, his family drowning in debt.
“For 40 hours, we ate with handcuffs on. We begged them to remove them, but they didn’t listen,” he recalled. The pain, humiliation, and exhaustion were unbearable.
Kuljinder was never prepared for what lay ahead. For eight months, her husband, Harwinder, was tossed between countries like a pawn, never reaching the U.S. He endured life-threatening conditions but kept sending her videos, documenting his struggle. Their last conversation was on January 15.
Then, silence.
Kuljinder only learned of his deportation when villagers told her he was among the 104 Indians sent back. The news hit like a storm—everything they had sacrificed, lost in an instant.
‘If you cross illegally, you will be removed’
USBP Chief Michael W. Banks shared a 24-second video on X, stating that the U.S. had “successfully returned illegal aliens to India,” marking the farthest deportation flight using military transport
The video, filmed late at night, shows the rear door of a C-17 transport plane opening, a large cargo pallet being loaded, and a long line of illegal migrants being marched on board. Shackles on their legs force them into a shuffled walk, more commonly associated with hardened criminals or prisoners of war.
A warning—“If you cross illegally, you will be removed”—accompanies the footage. After the migrants are loaded, several American soldiers board the plane. The camera shifts inside, showing the migrants strapped into their seats before takeoff.
The U.S. used a C-17 military aircraft to deport 104 Indian migrants, a move far more expensive than standard ICE charter flights. With an operational cost of ₹24.95 lakh ($28,500) per hour and the long distance to India, this likely marks the most costly deportation flight to date.
For 11 days in U.S. custody, Jaspal Singh, 36, from Punjab’s Gurdaspur, lived in uncertainty. It was only before landing in Amritsar that he realized the truth. ‘We thought it was another transfer, another camp,’ he said. ‘Then a police officer told us—we were going to India.’
Jaspal Singh, caught by U.S. Border Patrol on January 24, said a travel agent deceived him with false promises of legal entry.
Harpreet Singh Laliya left Nagpur dreaming of a future in Canada, borrowing ₹50 lakh from banks, friends, and family. A mistake by his agent changed everything. Denied boarding in Abu Dhabi, he was rerouted through Egypt, Spain, and Central America, enduring captivity and exhausting treks.
“I spent 49.5 lakh in all,” he said. “This money was taken as loans from banks, friends, and family.” After reaching the U.S., he was detained, shackled, and deported. “The humiliation of being chained will never leave me.”
Why Was the Plane Allowed to Land in Amritsar and Not Delhi?
Congress MP from Amritsar, Gurjeet Singh Aujla, condemned the treatment of deported Indian youth, questioning, “Why were they handcuffed and brought back? We checked—when illegal immigrants from other countries were deported from the US, they were not handcuffed. Why such treatment for our youth? The Union government must provide a detailed explanation.”
He also raised concerns over the choice of landing location, asking, “Why was the plane allowed to land in Amritsar and not Delhi? The Centre intentionally wants to portray Punjab in a bad light.”
Aujla further stated, “The issue will be raised in Parliament for a serious discussion. Despite being well aware of the adverse circumstances, Indian youth look for greener pastures abroad only after struggling to find jobs here.”
Dream Shattered, Debt Remains
Similarly, Twenty-year-old Aakash from Kalron village had one dream—to build a better life abroad. His family, desperate to make it happen, sold their 2.5-acre farmland, wiping out their savings. They paid Rs 72 lakh, most of it to an agent who promised a direct route to Mexico and illegal entry into the U.S.
On January 26, Aakash climbed the US-Mexico border wall, only to be caught immediately. “We thought he’d be released after fulfilling a bond, but instead, he was threatened into signing deportation papers,” said his elder brother, Shubham. Their hopes shattered, they learned of his deportation only when the village sarpanch informed them.
Hailing from Haryana state, Paramjit Singh’s dream of a better future for his family turned into a nightmare. After selling his house and paying Rs 1.2 crore to agents, he, his wife, and two children endured a dangerous journey through multiple countries, only to be detained at the U.S. border and deported within 12 days.
Trapped in Mexico, they were held hostage, beaten, and starved until relatives paid the remaining Rs 70 lakh. Back in India, Paramjit’s calls to the agents went unanswered, leaving him with nothing but debt and shattered hopes.
“We sold everything for a better future, but were treated like criminals—beaten, starved, and sent back in chains.”
“We don’t know what to do now or whom to complain to,” he said.
“Would an American face this in India? Would a European be chained like an animal for 40 hours? If not, why is India silent? Why aren’t we demanding justice?” ask his family members.
Meanwhile, Supreme Court lawyer Virendra Vashistha wrote a letter to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), condemning the inhumane treatment of Indian migrants deported from the United States. He criticized the use of handcuffs and shackles during transit, arguing that such measures are typically reserved for dangerous criminals, violating human rights.
Trapped Between Borders
Gurpreet Singh, a 33-year-old from Punjab, died of a heart attack in Guatemala while attempting to reach the U.S. via the illegal “Dunki” route.
His family had paid ₹36 lakh to agents, who misled him into taking a dangerous path through South America. Punjab Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal urged youth to avoid illegal migration. Gurpreet’s brother, Tara Singh, called for strict action against fraudulent agents.
What is the “Dunki” route?
The “Dunki” route is an illegal migration path used by Indians to reach the U.S. via South and Central America. Migrants often travel through multiple countries, including Guyana, Colombia, Panama, and Mexico, facing extreme dangers like jungle treks, human traffickers, and harsh conditions before attempting illegal entry into the U.S.
India’s Dignity at Stake, Say Opposition Leaders
A political storm erupted in the country, with the Opposition accusing Donald Trump’s government of mistreating deportees by shackling them. Lawmakers disrupted Parliament, demanding answers from the Modi government. Both houses were adjourned amid chants condemning the deportation as “degrading” and calling for an official response.
Top opposition leaders, including Congress’ Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, staged a protest outside Parliament. They demanded accountability from the Modi government, chanting slogans such as “India’s dignity will not be compromised,” as they condemned the deportation and alleged mistreatment of Indian migrants.
Rahul Gandhi shared a video of deportee Harvinder Singh on X, where he described being “handcuffed, feet tied with chains” for 40 hours. Gandhi urged, “Prime Minister, listen to this man’s pain. Indians deserve dignity and humanity, not handcuffs.”
Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar acknowledged concerns but said the use of restraints was U.S. protocol. He assured Parliament that India had raised the issue and that women and children were exempt, while deportees’ basic needs were provided during transit.
Parliament Speaker Om Birla attempted to defuse tensions, stating that the deportation process was a matter of U.S. policy. “Every country has its own rules and regulations,” he said, offering little reassurance to lawmakers demanding a stronger response from the government.
India’s junior External Affairs Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh informed Parliament that 519 Indian nationals were deported between November 2023 and October 2024, based on U.S. data. A Pew Research report ranked India third in unauthorized immigrants in the U.S., with 725,000 living there as of 2022.
An economic analyst, who wished to remain unnamed, said that the real story isn’t just about deportation but the financial ruin these families face. “They sell land, take heavy loans, and end up in crippling debt—all for a journey that often ends in disaster. With more deportations expected, the Modi government cannot ignore the root cause: a severe job crisis pushing youth to risk everything. Unless urgent economic reforms are made, this cycle of desperation will only continue.”
A report said that more than 2.9 million Indian immigrants lived in the United States as of 2023, making the country the second most popular global destination for Indians after the United Arab Emirates. Indians make up the second largest foreign-born group in the United States, after Mexicans, accounting for 6 percent of all 47.8 million foreign-born residents as of 2023.
Deportation Sparks Police Action
Following the deportation of Indian citizens from the United States, the Punjab Police have intensified their crackdown on fraudulent immigration agents responsible for human trafficking. A Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by ADGP (NRI Affairs) Praveen Sinha, has been established to address this issue. The SIT has registered multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) against these agents based on the statements of the deportees.
As of now, the SIT has registered a total of 10 FIRs, booking several immigration consultants and travel agents by name, along with their unidentified accomplices. The accused agents operate from various locations, including Kurukshetra and Karnal in Haryana, New Delhi, and multiple districts within Punjab. The agents allegedly deceived individuals by promising illegal entry into the United States, leading to their eventual deportation.
In one instance, an agent named Mukul Munjal from Ajrawar village in Kurukshetra, Haryana, was accused of duping a victim of Rs 45 lakh by promising to send him to the USA. Instead, the victim was sent to Guyana on a tourist visa and subsequently routed through several countries, only to be apprehended at the US border.
Trump’s Policies Spark Fear
“This is just the beginning. With Trump’s deportation policies taking shape, we are bracing for a much larger crisis,” said a senior political leader. “The crackdown on fraudulent immigration agents is crucial, but we must also address the deeper issues pushing our youth toward such risky journeys.”
“What we’re seeing now is only the tip of the iceberg. As U.S. policies tighten, thousands more could face deportation, and India must be prepared for the fallout,” warned another prominent analyst familiar with the situation.
“While action against fraudulent agents is necessary, the real question is—why are so many young Indians willing to risk everything for a life abroad? This crisis is far from over,” he said.
In her article By Ignoring the Mistreatment of Deportees, India Is Undermining Its Own Dignity, Sarayu Pani, an Indian lawyer argues that India’s silence on the mistreatment of deported migrants reflects a troubling shift in its approach to the diaspora. Unlike Colombia, which actively intervened to ensure the dignity of its deportees, India has remained indifferent as its citizens were shackled and humiliated.
Pani links this to a broader historical context, highlighting how colonial narratives and modern anti-immigration rhetoric have painted certain migrants—especially blue-collar workers—as criminals. She critiques the Modi government for selectively engaging with wealthier, upper-caste diaspora groups while neglecting the working class, particularly Sikhs.
This, she argues, reflects a larger moral decay in Indian public discourse, where empathy is reserved for the privileged. Ultimately, she warns that India’s failure to stand up for its own people abroad erodes the nation’s dignity on the global stage.
Modi Meets Trump
On February 14, 2025, Prime Minister Modi arrived in Washington for a two-day visit to hold high-stakes talks with President Trump, marking the first bilateral discussions between the two leaders since Trump began his second term last month.
There was no formal discussion about the recent deportation of Indian nationals from the US during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit. The key takeaways from the visit focused on trade relations, defense deals, the extradition of 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana, and broader geopolitical issues such as Indo-China border tensions. While illegal immigration remains a critical concern, it did not feature prominently in the official statements or negotiations between Modi and US President Donald Trump.
During a joint press conference with Trump at the White House on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that India was “fully prepared” to take back any verified Indian who was in the US illegally.
“We are of the opinion that anybody who enters and lives in another country illegally, they have absolutely no legal right or authority to live in that country… As far as India and the US are concerned, we have always said that those who are verified and are truly the citizens of India — if they live in the US illegally, India is ready to take them back,” Modi said.
He said this issue was not limited to India alone, and the “bigger fight” was on ending this “ecosystem” which is involved in “human-trafficking”.
