Fri Feb 07 13:23:36 UTC 2025: ## US Deports Over 100 Indians on Military Plane, Sparking Controversy

**Amritsar, India** – The United States deported over 100 Indian nationals on a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III military transport plane, landing in Amritsar on Tuesday. The unprecedented use of a military aircraft for this purpose has ignited controversy and raised questions about the treatment of the deportees.

The flight, which lasted nearly 24 hours, carried 104 Indian citizens, who were reportedly handcuffed and shackled. A 24-second video posted by US Border Patrol Chief Michael W. Banks on X (formerly Twitter) showed the deportees arriving in India and underscored the US’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws. The video concluded with a warning: “If you cross illegally, you will be removed.”

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri addressed the situation, stating that the US described the operation as a national security matter, possibly explaining the use of a military aircraft. He confirmed that the US government has notified India of 487 presumed Indian citizens with final removal orders.

While External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar clarified that the deportation of illegal Indian migrants from the US is not a new phenomenon, citing figures ranging from 530 in 2012 to over 2,000 in 2019, the use of a military aircraft and the reported conditions of the deportees have drawn criticism. Jaishankar emphasized India’s engagement with the US to ensure fair treatment of deportees, stating that women and children were not restrained and that their needs were met.

The cost of the operation is also a point of contention. Based on previous C-17 deportation flights to Guatemala, the cost for this mission is estimated to be over half a million dollars, a significant expense compared to using commercial flights.

The timing of the deportation, a week before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US for a meeting with President Donald Trump, adds another layer of complexity to the situation. The event highlights the ongoing tension between the US’s strict immigration enforcement and the plight of illegal immigrants, many of whom reportedly undertook perilous journeys and spent significant sums of money to reach the US, only to be deported shortly after.

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