205 Illegal Indian Immigrants Deported from US on Military Aircraft
A total of 205 Indian nationals who had illegally entered the US have been deported on a US military aircraft that departed from Texas about six hours ago, sources told NDTV. Each deported individual has been verified, indicating New Delhi’s involvement in the process. This flight is expected to be the first of many returning illegal Indian immigrants from the US.
A C-17 US military aircraft is transporting the deportees back to India. Interestingly, unless equipped with an air-transportable galley, the C-17 has only a single toilet for all 205 passengers.
The deportation aligns with US President Donald Trump’s strict stance on illegal immigration. Previously, US military aircraft have been used to deport migrants to Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras.
This first round of deportations comes amid reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the US next week—his first trip since Trump assumed office for a second term. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar had earlier stated that New Delhi is open to the “legitimate return” of Indian nationals living illegally abroad, including in the US.
US Deports Illegal Indian Immigrants, Cites Cooperation with New Delhi
“For the first time in history, we are identifying and deporting illegal aliens using military aircraft to return them to their countries of origin,” US President Donald Trump told reporters last month.
Trump also stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him that India would “do what’s right” in taking back illegal Indian immigrants. According to a Bloomberg News report, the US and India have identified approximately 18,000 Indian nationals who entered the US illegally.
The Ministry of External Affairs has reiterated India’s stance against illegal immigration, citing its links to organized crime.
“For Indian nationals overstaying anywhere in the world, if they lack proper documentation, we will take them back—provided we receive and verify documents confirming their nationality,” ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a press briefing.
A US Embassy spokesperson in New Delhi reinforced America’s strict approach to illegal immigration, stating, “The US is vigorously enforcing its borders, tightening immigration laws, and deporting illegal migrants. These actions send a clear message: illegal migration is not worth the risk.”
