Mon Feb 17 08:42:00 UTC 2025: ## Hundreds of Indians Deported from US, Detailing Grueling Journey
**Amritsar, Punjab, February 17, 2025** – A U.S. military aircraft carrying 112 Indian nationals deported from the United States landed at Amritsar airport on Sunday, marking the third such deportation flight in recent weeks. This follows a previous flight on February 16 carrying 116 individuals, and another on February 5 with 104. The deportations are part of a wider crackdown on illegal immigration by the U.S. administration.
One deportee, Mandeep Singh (38), shared a harrowing account of his journey, which began with the promise of legal entry into the U.S. for a fee of ₹40 lakh. Instead, he was forced to traverse a perilous “donkey route” through multiple countries, enduring extreme hardship.
Singh described being held captive, subjected to forced beard trimming, deprived of food for extended periods, and forced to navigate dangerous terrain including Panama jungles teeming with crocodiles and snakes. He was also subjected to extortion from sub-agents along the route. The ordeal culminated in his arrest by U.S. Border Patrol on January 27th after attempting to cross the border illegally near Tijuana, Mexico.
The Punjab government has expressed concerns over the use of Amritsar as a deportation center, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann criticizing the central government’s handling of the situation. Prime Minister Modi has stated India’s willingness to repatriate its citizens illegally residing in the U.S., but emphasized the need to dismantle human trafficking networks facilitating such journeys. The incident has sparked renewed debate about the plight of Indian migrants attempting to enter the U.S. illegally and the exploitative practices of human traffickers.
First Piper 