A US military C-17 aircraft carrying 104 Indian nationals deported for illegal immigration has landed in Amritsar. This marks the first large-scale deportation of Indians under President Donald Trump’s intensified crackdown on undocumented immigrants. The flight took off from Texas, and sources confirm that all deportees were verified before departure, indicating New Delhi’s cooperation in the process. Reports suggest that more such deportation flights could follow as the US tightens its immigration policies.

The deportations come just ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to the US next week—his first since Trump’s re-election. President Trump had earlier stated that India had assured him of cooperation in taking back illegal Indian immigrants. According to a Bloomberg report, approximately 18,000 Indians have been identified for deportation. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s commitment to accepting its citizens who have overstayed or lack proper documentation, provided their nationality is verified. The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that India opposes illegal immigration due to its links to organized crime.

A US Embassy spokesperson in New Delhi reiterated that the US is strictly enforcing border controls and immigration laws to deter illegal migration. “These actions send a clear message: illegal migration is not worth the risk,” the official stated. Meanwhile, Indian officials have assured that all necessary steps will be taken to facilitate the return of its citizens while ensuring their rights and legal procedures are upheld.