Wed Feb 05 15:02:41 IST 2025: ## First Deportation Flight Lands in Amritsar as US Cracks Down on Illegal Immigration

**Amritsar, India –** A US military aircraft carrying 104 Indian nationals deported from the United States landed in Amritsar today. The C-17 Globemaster III, which departed from Texas yesterday, marks the first large-scale deportation of Indian citizens under President Donald Trump’s intensified crackdown on illegal immigration.

Sources confirm that each deportee’s identity was verified by New Delhi, indicating cooperation between the two governments. This is expected to be the first of many such flights repatriating Indian nationals residing illegally in the US. The US has previously used military aircraft to deport immigrants to Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras.

The deportations come ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to the US next week, his first since President Trump’s re-election. President Trump has publicly stated that Prime Minister Modi assured him of India’s cooperation in accepting the return of illegal Indian immigrants. Reports suggest that India and the US have jointly identified approximately 18,000 Indian migrants who entered the US illegally.

India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, has affirmed New Delhi’s willingness to facilitate the legitimate return of Indian citizens residing abroad without proper documentation. The Ministry of External Affairs has further emphasized its opposition to illegal immigration due to its links to organized crime. A spokesperson reiterated India’s commitment to repatriating Indian nationals found to be overstaying their visas or residing illegally in any country, provided necessary verification documents are supplied.

A US Embassy spokesperson in New Delhi stated that the US is actively enforcing its border security and immigration laws, aiming to deter future illegal migration. President Trump himself previously announced the use of military aircraft for deportations, highlighting the administration’s commitment to this policy.

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