US Military Aircraft Deports 104 Indians; Majority from Haryana, Gujarat & Punjab
In a first-of-its-kind operation, a US military aircraft landed in Punjab’s Amritsar on Wednesday, deporting 104 Indians who were living illegally in the United States. The deportees, mostly from Haryana, Gujarat, and Punjab, included 25 women and 13 children.
According to sources, this is the first instance of the US using a military aircraft for deportation. The US Embassy spokesperson stated that the military was supporting the new administration’s efforts to expedite the removal of illegal migrants globally.
The deportees arrived at Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport on a US military C-17 Globemaster aircraft, which took off from San Antonio in Texas. The plane landed in Amritsar at 1:55 pm and returned around 5:15 pm.
While no official data was released, reports suggest that the state-wise break-up of the deportees is: Haryana 35, Gujarat 33, Punjab 31, three from Uttar Pradesh, and two from Maharashtra.
Punjab government officials confirmed that the deportees would receive necessary assistance, including food and shelter. However, there were reports of the deportees being handcuffed during the flight, which the Punjab government officials could not confirm.
The development comes amid the US government’s efforts to crack down on illegal immigration. The Indian government has stated that it will accept the deportees and provide them with necessary assistance.
This incident marks a significant shift in the US government’s approach to deportation, with the use of military aircraft indicating a more aggressive stance on immigration enforcement.
